WA awards $7.3M in clean energy grants in Benton, Franklin counties

State officials recently announced funding for a slew of solar power projects along with a few other clean energy efforts in the Mid-Columbia. 

Two of the grants are for $2.5 million, with one going to Cunningham Solar WA LLC for a solar facility near Othello. The other is for installation of an anaerobic digestion system for Pasco’s $180 million expansion of its Process Water Reuse Facility, also called the Pasco Resource Recovery Center. 

“Spanning 32 counties, these projects are designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs for residents and strengthen the reliability of local power systems,” the state Department of Commerce said in a statement. 

Among the other projects receiving funding in Benton and Franklin counties: 

• $1 million for solar panels at the Kennewick Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties. 
• $900,000 to support a city of Richland master plan for future siting and development of clean energy facilities. 
• $276,558 for rooftop solar panels on a rural multifamily affordable housing development. 
• $100,000 to Washington State University Tri-Cities to plan, design and conduct feasibility studies for solar canopy systems over Kennewick Irrigation District canals. 
• $100,000 to support carbon dioxide capture at Pasco’s resource recovery center 

Ward Bros. Agriculture LLC of Eltopia also will receive funding to pay for a feasibility study to evaluate a utility-scale solar energy project.