Choosing ‘Green’ Power Could Yield Cash for Kirkland

How green is Kirkland?

Puget Sound Energy and the city are challenging Kirkland residents and businesses to sign up for the utility’s Green Power Program, aimed at increasing the development of electricity from renewable energy sources.

If 400 PSE electric customers in Kirkland enroll in the Green Power Program this year, PSE will give the city a $20,000 grant for a community solar project. That could be doubled if Kirkland outpaces other cities participating in the Take Charge Green Power Challenge.

Participating customers also get a chance to win a solar panel system valued at $10,000 for their home.

What solar project would you like to see in Kirkland? Tell us in the comments.

Here are more details on the challenge, excerpted from the company’s release:

The Take Charge Green Power Challenge is a combined effort between PSE, the cities of Kirkland, Snoqualmie, Tumwater, Anacortes and Bainbridge Island, as well as local businesses and residents. The aim is to increase the development of electricity generated from renewable energy sources in the region.

“The Kirkland City Council has made protecting and enhancing our natural environment one of our top goals,” said Kirkland Mayor Joan McBride. “Greater utilization of renewable energy options such as those supported by the Take Charge Green Power Challenge keeps Kirkland moving forward to the future that we desire.”         

Currently, more than 1,600 PSE customers in Kirkland participate in the Green Power Program. When the challenge goal of reaching 2,000 participating customers is achieved, PSE will provide $20,000 toward a community solar project in Kirkland. Each participating city that meets its individual challenge goal will be awarded a $20,000 grant to go toward a community solar project in their city. Each city will determine where its project will be located and how it will be implemented.

The city with the highest percentage increase in new Green Power Program participants compared to other cities will be dubbed the “Greenest town in the Puget Sound” and awarded an additional $20,000 to go towards their city’s solar project. 

In addition to helping their city earn a solar project, customers who enroll in PSE’s Green Power Program from February 21 through September 30 will be automatically entered to win a solar panel system valued at $10,000 for their own home. Existing Green Power customers can enter for a chance to win by upgrading to 100 percent participation. Customers who already participate at 100 percent will be automatically entered to win.

PSE’s voluntary Green Power Program gives PSE electric customers a way to guarantee that some or all of the energy they use is matched in the electric grid with clean electricity from wind, solar, biogas and other renewable energy sources from the West. None of the renewable energy in PSE’s Green Power Program is generated by PSE; it all comes from independent producers of renewable power.

With two participation options, PSE residential customers can purchase 100 percent green power for approximately $10 to $12 a month based on their actual usage or buy a specific amount, with a minimum purchase of $4 per month for 320 kilowatt hours (kWh). Additional green power can be bought in increments of $2 for 160 kWh. Business customers can also participate at rates specific to their situation.