Clark County gets $80M in climate funds

Funding to Clark County cities, nonprofits, public utilities, ports, school districts and others through the Climate Commitment Act has grown to nearly $80 million since Washington awarded the first grants in May 2024. The money supports dozens of clean energy, air and water projects undertaken by county government, cities, school districts, ports, Clark College, Clark Public Utilities, PeaceHealth, Clark Conservation District, Fourth Plain Forward and others. Passed in 2021, the Climate Commitment Act set a limit, or cap, on overall carbon emissions. Businesses have to purchase allowances equal to their emissions at quarterly cap-and-trade auctions held by the state Department of Ecology. As of mid-2025, the pay-to-pollute program has generated about $3.2 billion in revenue for the state, according to the department. The revenue is then allocated to local entities with the largest portion going to transportation projects. Funding must also go to projects that benefit overburdened communities that disproportionately suffer from climate pollution, as well as climate resiliency programs such as energy-efficient buildings. It is perhaps no surprise that C-Tran has received the lion’s share of local funding. The state granted the transit agency $33.6 million, or 42 percent of total funds. This includes $5 million to help pay for a Highway 99 bus rapid transit line that connects the Vancouver waterfront, downtown, Hazel Dell and Salmon Creek. Another $4.4 million was awarded to C-Tran to purchase zero-emission buses. Ronda Peck, spokesperson for C-Tran, said the funding will be used to purchase hydrogen fuel cell buses. “Before any buses can be purchased, C-Tran first needs to work through the funding considerations related to the infrastructure that’s required to support those vehicles,” Peck said by email. “C-Tran is in the process to determine next steps for that project before we would move forward with purchasing buses.” While hydrogen fuel cell buses won’t require a gas pump or electric charging station, new infrastructure will be needed to support the alternative fuel buses. The state’s data shows C-Tran was awarded $3.795 million to purchase and install a turn-key hydrogen fueling station. Much of the funding awarded to C-Tran, Peck said, will help pay for specific operating expenses. “Any offset to our operating expenses has a positive impact on the climate by furthering the agency’s ability to provide service,” Peck said. Charged up Electric vehicle charging stations — especially for multifamily housing, community and fleet chargers — are also getting a boost from Climate Commitment Act funds with $6.9 million awarded to 36 projects across the county. In February 2024, then-Gov. Jay Inslee announced the state was setting aside $85 million in Climate Commitment Act funds to build 5,000 new charging stations across the state. Through the Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program, local jurisdictions like Clark County, the Port of Ridgefield and Cowlitz Indian Tribe are working with the state Department of Commerce to build the new stations. But rollout has been slow and costly. The first fast-charging station in the state funded by the program opened in Arlington in June. The program has also faced challenges from the federal government. Earlier this year, $71 million in federal funding for electric vehicle chargers was put on hold. In May, President Donald Trump revoked waivers allowing Washington, California and other states the ability to mandate a transition to electric vehicles. At least 16 states, including Washington, filed suit over the funding freezes. U.S. District Judge Tana Lin in Seattle granted a temporary injunction to unfreeze the funds in June. The U.S. Department of Justice said it would not appeal the ruling; however, an extension was requested to respond to the ruling. Other projects Climate Commitment Act funding is going to more than transportation. Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership’s habitat restoration project on the East Fork Lewis River was awarded $5.8 million. The city of Vancouver received $1.3 million to provide rebates to low- and moderate-income households and small businesses to purchase and install high-efficiency equipment, such as heat pumps. Clark Public Utilities received $9.1 million for one-time bill credits for low- and moderate-income residential customers. Other agencies received smaller grants. The Clark Conservation District received two grants: one for $57,709 and another for $201,989. Mary Kinney, communications manager for the district, said the funding helps rural landowners with sustainable farming practices and wildfire readiness.

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