Panels Will Produce Clean, Renewable Energy That Will Help Combat Climate Change, Lower Harborview’s Utility Bills So They Can Invest More in Patient Care
City Light Customer-Funded “Green Up” Program Will Provide $1 Million to 14 Solar Energy Projects at Seattle Schools, Parks, Community Center, and Affordable Housing Complexes
SEATTLE (Jan. 31) – Mayor Jenny A. Durkan today toured a new rooftop solar panel installation at Harborview Medical Center. The project is the first to receive funding under Seattle City Light’s “Green Up” grants program, which aims to expand the City’s supply of clean, renewable energy, fight climate change, and lower electricity bills at community facilities, including schools, parks, community centers, and affordable housing complexes.
Supported by a $50,000 grant, Harborview’s solar installation is the largest on any hospital in the state of Washington and will help offset Harborview’s electricity costs by approximately $10,000 annually. The panels’ expected annual output will be enough to power one of the hospital’s MRI machines for 2,270 hours.
“Seattle believes in science. We won’t wait for the other Washington to act, and we will lead the nation in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mayor Durkan. “Renewable energy is good for our environment, our climate, and the bottom line. Through smart investments, we can continue to expand our supply of clean, renewable energy while also lowering the operating costs of hospitals, schools, parks, and affordable housing complexes in our community.”
The project was supported through the first of 14 grants totaling $1 million from Seattle City Light’s customer-funded “Green Up” program. The grants are awarded to affordable housing programs, schools, hospitals and other community organizations for the development and installation of renewable energy sources. Green Up is an opportunity for City Light customers to support the development of renewable energy in the Pacific Northwest by adding as little as $3 to their City Light payments. Part of the total consumer contribution is used to purchase renewable energy credits on behalf of the customers. The rest goes into a fund to support the development of new renewable energy sources and renewable energy education, including these grants.
“Harborview Medical Center, a part of UW Medicine and owned by King County, is committed to maintaining and improving environmentally sustainable practices in all of our daily operations,” Harborview Executive Director Paul Hayes said. “These savings will help lower our operating costs, which in turn improves Harborview’s ability to provide quality patient care to the residents of Seattle and King County. Support from Seattle City Light’s Green Up grant made a significant difference in our ability to install the panels. Thank you to everyone who participates in Green Up. Your contributions are working.”
“In determining which projects would be funded, we also considered the community impact, which is why Harborview, affordable housing complexes and community centers were among the recipients,” City Light Interim General Manager Jim Baggs said. “Clean, renewable energy can benefit all of us. We’re proud that Green Up is helping to deliver on that promise.”
Other projects supported by the “Green Up” program include:
- Seattle Public Schools – $150,000 for solar installations at Bailey Gatzert Elementary, Ballard High School, Denny International Middle School, South Shore PreK-8 School, Hazel Wolf K-8 ESTEM School and Arbor Heights Elementary
- King County Parks – $119,014 for a solar installation at the Steve Cox Community Center
- Seattle Parks – $50,000 for a solar installation at the Big at Magnuson Park
- Seattle Colleges – $200,000 for a solar installation at Seattle Central College
- Capitol Hill Housing – three grants totaling $225,000 for solar installations at affordable housing complexes: the Elizabeth James House, Ponderosa Apartments and El Nor Apartments
- Pacific Science Center – $164,851 for a solar installation at the center
Visit Green Up online to learn more and sign up.
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