The Big Apple isn't the only place seeing green, as Washington state pulls its weight in the clean energy push, doling out millions for solar power and greener transportation in a single week, proving it's not just talk when it comes to battling climate change.
According to a Medium post by the Washington State Governor's Office, a cool $156 million is being invested in rooftop solar projects, via Uncle Sam's Environmental Protection Agency, which is purported to slash energy bills, jack up home values, and generate clean jobs, solar's big sell isn't just about the electric bill savings or job creation, it's also supposed to slash nasty pollutants like sulfur and nitrogen oxides out of the equation.
Those aware of the "Solar for All" initiative recognize it as more than just a shot in the dark; it's a carefully aimed arrow, igniting hopes of illuminating low-income households, community solar ventures, and Tribal solar programs. Governor Jay Inslee stated, "Every community deserves clean, affordable, reliable energy, and Solar for All is a game changer for America and a giant leap toward a more just and equitable transition," in a statement from the Medium post by the Washington State Governor's Office, celebrating the expected 200,000 new jobs and solar installations set to benefit 900,000 homes nationwide.
Shifting gears to electric vehicles, Washington's Department of Commerce flashed a new rebate program, taglined as the country's maiden voyage in the space, the $45 million scheme extends a funding branch to not just the rich but lower-income families looking to hop on the EV bandwagon; with rebates up to $9,000 and even the used EV market gets a piece of the pie with a $2,500 rebate helping to put cleaner wheels on the road and potentially carving a path for an EV to park in every driveway.
To cap off an eco-friendly week, Wednesday's ribbon-cutting at ZeroAvia's new Propulsion Center of Excellence in Everett signaled a high-flying commitment to clean skies: this pioneer in hydrogen-powered aircraft engines is keen to dismantle the fossil fuel monopoly in commercial flight, vowing to secure FAA nods for its innovation which has the ambitious target of cutting carbon emissions by 70%.
