By Karen Robes Meeks
In an effort to lower its carbon footprint, the Port of Bellingham is partnering with Puget Sound Energy to buy all of its power from wind and solar sources.
The port has inked an 18-year agreement with the energy company to become part of the Green Direct program so qualified customers can buy electricity created by renewable resources.
The program seeks long-term commitments from agencies and businesses and that demand incentivizes the development of wind and solar facilities. Puget Sound Energy has been able to ink a power purchase agreement with a wind energy developer in Lewis County that will begin in 2019. Also, a solar project – the biggest to be built in the state at over 120 MW – is anticipated to go online in South-Central Washington in 2021.
“The Port of Bellingham is pleased to provide statewide leadership supporting renewable energy, while promoting clean technology manufacturing and employment” said Port Commissioner Michael Shepard. “As the second public port in Washington State to participate in Green Direct, the Port of Bellingham will source 100 percent of its electricity from wind and solar energy production. Our commitment to renewable energy complements our ongoing environmental sustainability efforts, which include energy conservation, habitat restoration and cleanup of contaminated sites.”
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
