News Flash

Home

Posted on: October 17, 2018

Port Switching to 100% Wind and Solar Energy

The Port is teaming up with Puget Sound Energy (PSE) to reduce its carbon footprint by purchasing 100 percent of its power from wind and solar sources.  The Port has signed on to the Green Direct program which allows eligible customers to buy electricity generated by renewable resources rather than the conventional mix which includes coal and natural gas.

“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% 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.” 

Under the Green Direct program, PSE gets commitments of 10, 15 or 18 years from municipalities and businesses to buy wind and solar.   This shared demand for renewable energy incentivizes developers to build new wind and solar facilities.  PSE has negotiated a power purchase agreement with a wind energy developer in Lewis County that will start operations in 2019, and a solar project which is expected to come on-line in south-central Washington in 2021.  The solar project will be the largest ever built in the state at over 120 MW.   

The Port has signed an 18 year agreement with PSE to purchase renewable energy.  The renewable electricity charge will consist of an initial fixed rate that will increase two percent annually over the term.  As standard electricity prices are forecast to increase by three percent each year, a slight cost savings is predicted for the Port. 

The Port joins Whatcom County, the City of Bellingham and Western Washington University as local public sector energy users enrolled in the Green Direct Program.  Several iconic Pacific Northwest companies including Starbucks, REI and Microsoft have also signed up for the program. 

Whatcom County has a strong track record in supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency.  From 2007-09, Bellingham was the #1 EPA certified Green Power Community in America, and currently leads the region in residential solar systems per capita. 

PSE residential customers can support renewable energy production by participating in the long-running Green Power Program.

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Home

Port and Whatcom PUD Broadband Update

Posted on: October 10, 2023

Port Acquires Complex to Support Industry

Posted on: February 28, 2023

Port Releases 2023 Final Strategic Budget

Posted on: November 17, 2022

31st Annual Holiday Port Wrap Up

Posted on: December 10, 2021

Port Releases 2022 Final Strategic Budget

Posted on: November 18, 2021

Marine Life Center to Reopen March 1

Posted on: February 19, 2021

Salish Sea Scavenger Hunt

Posted on: July 29, 2020

29th Annual Holiday Port Wrap Up

Posted on: December 13, 2019

Shoreline Repair Work Notice

Posted on: October 21, 2019

Waterfront Bike Park Temporarily Closed

Posted on: September 15, 2019

Waterfront Bike Park Notice

Posted on: September 13, 2019

Fourth of July Celebration

Posted on: June 25, 2019

Port Seeks Native Artwork Proposals

Posted on: June 20, 2019

Port Seeks Waterfront Event Proposals

Posted on: February 1, 2019

New Waterfront Road Open to Public

Posted on: January 22, 2019

Port to Apply for Rural Broadband Funding

Posted on: September 17, 2018

Port Earns Clean Audit

Posted on: June 22, 2018

Port Updates Mission Statement

Posted on: December 5, 2017

Port Earns Clean Audit from State

Posted on: June 21, 2017

Port Appoints New Manager of Marinas

Posted on: January 13, 2017

Waterfront Redevelopment Art Project

Posted on: January 13, 2017

Port Commission Selects 2017 Officers

Posted on: January 3, 2017

Port Commission Selects 2016 Officers

Posted on: January 6, 2016

Port Appoints Director of Aviation

Posted on: October 19, 2015