The Washington State Department of Commerce has announced a significant investment of $4.76 million (€4.5 million) through the state's Clean Energy Fund. These funds will support seven projects aimed at improving dairy digesters and promoting clean energy initiatives in rural communities.
These investments are expected to yield several positive outcomes, including enhanced air and water quality, improved soil health, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and local economic benefits, according to the department.
Mike Fong, the Director of Commerce, emphasized the vast opportunities within the clean energy economy and commended the innovative project proposals from rural communities. He highlighted how these investments align with various priorities, such as sustainable business models for agriculture, community energy resilience, job creation, economic development, and tribal sovereignty.
One of the funded projects involves FPE Renewables installing advanced generator technology in Whatcom County. This technology will enhance efficiency, increase renewable electricity production, and reduce air emissions at the Vander Haak Dairy and its surrounding community.
Steve Vander Haak, Owner and Managing Partner of FPE Renewables, explained the numerous environmental benefits of co-digestion projects involving dairy manure and food processing waste. These benefits include stabilizing waste organic streams for use as renewable fertilizer, generating renewable electricity for electric vehicles (EVs), reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigating odors associated with organic waste processing.
Vander Haak noted that once the project is at full capacity, it will produce enough renewable electricity to power over 3,000 electric cars annually, all generated from waste manure and food residuals.
Another project supported by the grants involves the Spokane Tribe conducting a substantial energy efficiency and decarbonization upgrade of the Tribal Administrative Building in Stevens County. These improvements are expected to result in annual utility bill savings exceeding $30,000 (€28.5k).
