WASHINGTON, USA — Gov. Jay Inslee, King County Executive Dow Constantine and other officials toured the Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station Monday as the state announced 71 grants totaling nearly $73 million for projects funded through the Climate Commitment Act.
The county built the station to protect Seattle's South Park neighborhood and surrounding communities from flooding and to prepare for more severe storms as a result of climate change. The state's grant will put around $200,000 toward the installation of a solar array on the site to help offset energy use and prevent air pollution.
The recently announced grants will benefit communities in 24 counties with projects ranging from hydrogen fueling to electricity microgrids, according to the state Department of Commerce. According to the department, the grants are part of a "$117 million opportunity" that included $7.5 million for a tribal clean energy fund announced in May.
“These awards get money into the hands of people who can immediately put it to use fighting climate change,” said Commerce Director Mike Fong in a prepared statement. “These communities were empowered to use their own discretion to create projects that meet their needs, which will improve outcomes for everyone in Washington.”
At the event on Monday, Inslee was asked about the connection between the grant projects and the Climate Commitment Act. He fired back at attempts to repeal it through an initiative on the ballot in November.
"If that initiative passed, it would cost Washington[ians] too much," Inslee said. "It would cost them protections against pollution. It would allow unlimited pollution in the state of Washington and cost Washingtonians millions in projects they want. "
Backers of the petition to repeal Initiative 2117 have argued the decision about whether to keep the act should be up to voters, and say lawmakers should pull from additional funding sources to support their priorities. They fault the act in part for rising gas prices. Inslee disputed that a repeal would bring gas prices down.