Washington State Rural Clean Energy Study

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Are you a rural Washingtonian interested in how clean energy projects may affect your community, through either large-scale or community-scale solar, wind, and other types of energy development? If so, please join us in the following communities for a conversation that will help inform the Rural Clean Energy Economics and Community Engagement Study and Report, being prepared under the direction of the WA Dept of Commerce.

DAYTON: Tuesday, May 14, 2024, from 6:30-8:30 pm – Dayton Pavilion at the Columbia County Fairgrounds (5 N Pine St, Dayton, WA 99328)

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ZILLAH: Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 6:30-8:30 pm–- Zillah Civic Center (119 1st Ave, Zillah, WA 98953)

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MT. VERNON: Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 6:30-8:30 pm – WSU Mt Vernon Extension (16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273)

Study Purpose and Outcomes

The Washington Legislature included in its Clean Energy Project Siting Law in 2023 a directive for the Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) to create and submit a study and legislative report addressing direct and related issues and concerns across rural Washington regarding renewable energy development. The study is titled: Rural Clean Energy Economics and Community Engagement Study and Report (Rural Clean Energy Study).

The purpose of the study is to increase mutual understanding between rural communities, representative interests, and government agencies and policymakers about the potential opportunities and impacts of renewable energy development in rural communities throughout Washington. This process includes individual and small-group conversations, as well as three community-based public meetings and one state-wide virtual public meeting.

1. The study includes a detailed analysis of the direct and indirect economic and financial impacts of clean energy projects in rural Washington and the Consultant team will provide opportunities for focused representative interests review and comment on the design of the economic study and the draft report.
2. The study may be used to inform policies and programs to increase opportunities and reduce negative impacts from renewable energy development for rural Washington communities.
3. The study is not affiliated with or in support of any particular clean energy development project.

Commerce contracted the services of a consultant to provide third-party neutral services for the design and implementation of the rural community engagement and economic analysis required by this legislation. Ross Strategic leads the Consultant Team, with the Clean Energy Transition Institute (CETI) and Industrial Economics, Inc. (IEc).

Study Audiences

Key audiences for this study are defined as Washington rural community residents, representative interests in these rural communities, and partner agencies/entities. “Community residents” include those living within rural communities potentially affected by or interested in clean energy development. Representative interests are defined as those with a technical, jurisdictional, and/or representative role in clean energy development in rural Washington communities. Partner agencies and entities include Washington State agencies and state-sponsored entities with an interest in the study outcomes.

As sovereign nations, Tribes hold a unique status in this study. At this time, Commerce’s Tribal Relations Team is maintaining communication, coordination, and consultation with Tribes with homelands within the boundaries of Washington State

Our Engagement Process

Communication and engagement activities throughout the study are focused on Washington’s rural communities. Throughout the study we will:

• Provide meaningful, accessible, and equitable opportunities for rural communities and representative interests to engage during the study period.
• Demonstrate how input from rural communities and representative interests informed the economic analysis and findings.
• Keep rural communities and representative interests informed about the project.

Our team is committed to our impartial role as we engage a wide range of interests in this work. We know that communities are experts in their experience and look forward to speaking with you during this process. Below is a sketch of the steps we are taking to engage representative interests in this work. If you are interested in being connected to this work or have feedback regarding the process to collect community input, please do not hesitate to contact our team.

When talking with members of your community, we are interested in the following topics:

• What are the most important opportunities rural communities see for clean energy development? What are the key concerns? 
• What experiences have individuals and organizations had with energy infrastructure siting and development, and how can these processes be improved? 
• How can the state design and implement just and equitable processes for the transition to a clean energy economy? 

Approximate Timeline & Status (dates are estimated and subject to change)

Background and Context for the Analysis

Washington must comply with both the state’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction limits and its 100% clean electricity law. To do so, the Washington 2021 State Energy Strategy identified a substantial need to increase the supply of renewable and non-emitting electric power generating facilities to replace fossil fuel generation. Washington has enacted several policies to understand and address the potential impact of renewable energy development on rural communities, such as:

• A comprehensive analysis identifying least-conflict locations for solar generating projects in the Columbia Basin.
• A provision in solar grant programs establishing a preference for projects that avoid traditional agricultural lands.
• A requirement that new and existing utility-scale wind turbines use lighting systems that reduce visual impacts to communities.
• A wind and solar tax provision that increases and stabilizes receipts for communities and tribes that host renewable facilities.
• A grant program to demonstrate design and installation of dual use solar projects, which use solar generating equipment that is compatible with traditional agricultural activities.