Weekly Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) Bulletin- August 23

Source: Washington State Department of Commerce, August 23, 2022

Request for energy assistance funding targets

Deadline: Friday, Sept. 9

Commerce is requesting utilities submit their 2030 and 2050 energy assistance targets under RCW 19.405.120(4)(iii).

It was Commerce’s understanding during the last energy assistance data review process that utilities had not calculated their targets and Commerce offered to calculate them. A few utilities have since come forward with their targets and asked Commerce not to do the calculations.

The agency is honoring that request and asking utilities to submit their targets by Friday, Sept. 9.  

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact Austin Scharff at Austin.Scharff@Commerce.wa.gov.

Electric utility grant opportunities

Webinar: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24

On July 6, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) opened the application period for states, tribal nations and territories to apply for the $2.3 billion formula grant program. The program is designed to strengthen and modernize America’s power grid against wildfires, extreme weather and other natural disasters exacerbated by the climate crisis.

The Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid program was established through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and administered through DOE’s new Building a Better Grid Initiative. The program will assist with projects that create good-paying jobs to deliver clean, affordable, and resilient clean energy to Washington state, plus support statewide goals of 100% clean electricity by 2045.

Commerce will support the state’s application for the formula funds and administration of the program. To support eligible entities, Commerce is hosting an educational webinar to discuss the new grid resilience formula program and the state application process. The webinar will be recorded and posted with slides after the event.

Meeting info

Questions? Contact Sarah Vorpahl at Sarah.Vorpahl@commerce.wa.gov.

2023 Energy Assistance Biennial Report Workshop

1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30

Commerce is holding this workshop to discuss the energy assistance data that’s been gathered as part of the draft 2023 biennial energy assistance report. The draft report will be presented to stakeholders who will have until Friday, Sept. 16 to submit comments on the draft report. 

Meeting info

PNNL/WSU Advanced Grid Institute (AGI) Industry Day 2022

9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31

Join the Advanced Grid Institute (AGI) on Aug. 31 as it reimagines the national power grid.

AGI Industry Day will bring together colleagues from state and federal agencies, utilities, indus­try, national laboratories, and academia for a day of lively panel discussions and presenta­tions. We’ll be discussing opportunities for the Pacific Northwest to leverage the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to make advances towards meeting clean energy goals.

Technical sessions will also be available for virtual participation.

Upcoming workshops

  • 2023 Biennial Energy Assistance Second Draft Report
    1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27
    Join on Zoom 
    Meeting ID: 853 6905 5765
    Passcode: Assistance
    Phone-in: +1 253 215 8782 
    Call-in passcode: 6965110255