(The Center Square) – Vancouver, Wash. was able to secure $1.9 million in federal, state and regional funding for climate resiliency efforts.
Most recently, the city was awarded a $575,000 formula grant from the state Department of Commerce Climate Program. The grant funds must be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and the transportation sector community-wide, and to enhance local planning for climate resilience.
The Commerce Climate Planning grant is part of Washington state’s implementation of House Bill 1181.
According to the city, the latest funding will be distributed to four projects that are directly tied to advancing community-wide climate goals. One project is a citywide electric vehicle charging strategy, a citywide commercial building decarbonization strategy, a low carbon transportation acceleration strategy, and asset vulnerability mapping.
Throughout 2023, Vancouver was able to secure climate-related funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry, Washington state Department of Transportation’s sustainable aviation grants, Washington state Department of Commerce’s Solar Plus Storage for Resilient Communities and the Southwest Regional Transportation Council Transportation Alternative Program.
The city will use the collective $1.9 million for carbon sequestration, renewable energy, community resilience, green jobs and active transportation projects.
“As we head into 2024, this funding will help the city launch critical initiatives that bring the community along in achieving our 2040 climate goals,” Rebecca Small, Vancouver’s climate lead, said in a statement. “Everyone has a role to play in building a more sustainable future, and these city-led projects will support households and property owners in the transition to becoming carbon-free.”
In 2022, the city adopted its climate action framework with the goal of transitioning to community-wide carbon neutrality by 2040.
Vancouver intends to apply for additional state and federal grants for climate activities in 2024 and 2025.
