Central Washington University Granted Nearly $1 Million for Solar Energy Projects – Big Country News

Central Washington University received a pair of grant awards totaling nearly $1 million for solar energy projects aimed to decarbonize the university.

When the Washington State Department of Commerce announced the recipients of its Community Decarbonization 2024 Grant Program, two Central initiatives were on the list.

Central was awarded $473,467 to install a 100-kilowatt solar system on the roof of Dugmore Hall, and an additional $451,642 to conduct a large-scale solar study for the rest of campus as a way of identifying additional opportunities to significantly expand solar capacity, university officials said.

“We’ll be able to develop a campus-wide solar development plan and install solar on Dugmore Hall, which will be a very visible example to our students of our efforts to have a 100% emission-free electricity source,” said geological sciences professor Susan Kaspari.

Kaspari also noted the effort will feed into other campus decarbonization initiatives.

Sustainability Officer Jeff Bousson said the grants, funded by the state’s Climate Commitment Act, aligns with the sustainable strategies listed in Central’s Climate Action Plan.

“As CWU continues to move forward with utilizing geothermal technology to heat and cool our buildings, in addition to planning for electric vehicle infrastructure, we are going to need additional clean electricity for many years to come,” Bousson said.

In order for the grant funding to be activated, university officials said the act must overcome a November ballot measure to repeal the legislation.

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