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Gov. Gregoire announces $20 million in energy efficiency, renewable energy projects

For Immediate Release: October 5, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire and the Washington State Department of Commerce today announced the recipients of more than $20 million in grants and loans from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology programs throughout the state. The funding addresses a specific goal to reduce energy consumption by at least 25 percent of the state�s 1990 per capita energy use by 2012.

�Washington state is a proven leader in clean energy innovation and job creation,� Gregoire said. �We�ve seen growth in wind and solar power, as well as innovative new technologies like anaerobic digesters. These investments will ensure our state remains a leader in the clean-energy sector, and will push us further toward meeting our environmental goals.�

Nineteen private and public projects were selected based on their ability to:

� Implement a project that will produce tangible results

� Create or retain jobs in Washington

� Leverage other funds

� Increase energy efficiency and production to in turn reduce energy costs and consumption for consumers, business and government.

To see a list of projects receiving funding, visit: http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/20091002_Commerce_Projects.pdf

The projects are expected to support or create more than 2000 permanent and temporary jobs. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Energy announced more than $60 million in recovery act funds to Washington state to help lower energy use, reduce carbon pollution and create clean energy jobs. The remaining funding for grants and loans will be distributed by Commerce early in 2010, following another project review cycle at the end of this year.

�States and local communities are the engines of our economy and the laboratories of innovation,� said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. �This funding will provide Washington the resources to put in place innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that will create jobs across the state, while reducing carbon pollution and helping to shift how America uses energy.�

�These projects demonstrate the high potential for energy efficiency and clean tech to create jobs and economic growth throughout the state,� said Rogers Weed, director of the Washington State Department of Commerce. �We believe that clean energy can be a powerful driver to strengthen and transform our state�s economy for the future. This stimulus funding is a unique opportunity to capitalize on the leadership of Washington companies and communities to continue building our competitive edge in this sector nationally and globally. We look forward to feedback and learning from this first set of projects to inform our decisions due later this year on the remaining funds made available to our state by Secretary Chu.�

For more information about State Energy Program funding available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, please visit the Department of Commerce Recovery website at www.commerce.wa.gov/recovery.