Clean Energy Siting and Permitting Grants

Clean Energy Siting and Permitting Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Washington State Department of Commerce
Last Updated: October 02, 2025

Summary

The Washington State Department of Commerce is offering $4.85 million in Clean Energy Siting and Permitting Grants to support local governments and tribes in enhancing clean energy project processes. This funding aims to streamline siting and permitting for projects like solar and wind energy, facilitating predevelopment work and interagency coordination. Eligible applicants include port districts, cities, and federally recognized tribes, with priority given to those demonstrating project readiness and alignment with clean energy goals.

Overview

About The Washington State Department of Commerce’s mission is to strengthen communities in Washington. We are the lead state agency charged with enhancing and promoting sustainable community and economic vitality in Washington. We administer a diverse portfolio of more than 100 programs and several state boards and commissions, all focused on helping communities achieve positive growth. Clean Energy Siting and Permitting Grants Commerce is now accepting applications for $4.85 million in Clean Energy Siting and Permitting (CESP) grants to help local governments and tribes improve the siting and permitting of clean energy projects across Washington state. The CESP program funds planning and process improvements that reduce barriers, streamline reviews, and help communities prepare for clean energy projects such as solar, wind, and energy storage. Eligible activities include predevelopment work for potential sites, land use studies, planning efforts such as planned actions or programmatic environmental impact statements, and hiring staff to make the permitting process faster and more predictable.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible applicants Port districtsCounties, cities and townsSpecial-purpose districtsOther municipal or quasi-municipal corporationsFederally recognized tribesEligible projectsProjects must directly improve clean energy siting and permitting processes in Washington. Examples include:Pre-development work for clean energy project sitesLand use studies and planned actionsProgrammatic environmental impact statements (EIS)Hiring staff or consultants to speed up permittingImproving permitting workflows and interagency coordination