Rural Clean Energy Economics and Community Engagement Study and Report
Washington State Department of Commerce hereafter called "COMMERCE,” is initiating this Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals from firms interested in a two part project including facilitating the convening of a rural community engagement study and an economic analysis of the state’s clean energy economy.
The Washington 2021 State Energy Strategy (https://commerce.wa.gov/energystrategy) has identified a need to increase substantially the state’s supply of renewable and non-emitting electric power generating facilities. These resources are required to meet the state’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction limits and to comply with the state’s 100% clean electricity law. The strategy projects that as the state reduces and eventually eliminates its use of fossil fuels as an energy source it will need to double its use of electricity as an end use energy form.
Washington has enacted a number of policies to understand and address the potential impact of renewable energy development on rural communities.
Commerce is undertaking this study and legislative report with two principle purposes:
Part A: Rural Community Engagement:
The Consultant will apply its expertise and experience to design and implement a rural community engagement process to achieve the objectives stated above, consistent with the requirements of the legislative direction. For a list of required activities, see https://deptofcommerce.app.box.com/s/4fv97t1qqjxjmn9rm6pzslnvbtsf56xk#page=5.
Part B: Economic Impact Analysis
The Consultant will prepare an analysis of the economic and financial impact of renewable energy projects developed and operated in rural communities. As much as practical, the Consultant will conduct this analysis using data on utility-scale renewable energy projects constructed in Washington since 2019. For a list of required activities, see https://deptofcommerce.app.box.com/s/4fv97t1qqjxjmn9rm6pzslnvbtsf56xk#page=6.
Estimated Total Program Funding:
