Gov. Gregoire announces $16.5 million for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects

For Immediate Release: March 30, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire and the Washington State Department of Commerce announced the recipients of more than $16.5 million in grants and loans from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for energy efficiency, clean technology, transportation and bioenergy programs throughout the state.

�This recovery funding is a double win for Washington state,� Gregoire said. �It supports and creates more than 2,000 living wage jobs � and at the same time continues Washington�s leadership in the clean, renewable energy sector.�

The projects were awarded in four categories:
� Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Energy Efficiency- $5.8 million
� Clean Energy Innovation- $5.2 million
� Transportation- $1 million
� Waste-to-Energy- $4.5 million

The 13 private and public projects were selected based on their energy savings, jobs created or retained and matching funds � and support projects across the state, including:

� AltAir Fuels LLC (King, Skagit County) � which received a $2 million grant to produce biofuels for airplanes from Camelina oil. The production will be at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes and connect into the main northwest fuel pipeline. This project will create 350 engineering and construction jobs, 20 permanent jobs in operations and maintenance, and 107 permanent and seasonal agricultural jobs.
� Demand Energy Networks (Spokane County) � which received a $1.5 million grant to develop electricity storage devices that are monitored, managed and controlled by network management software. This project is expected to create or retain 93 jobs.
� Gen-X Energy Group Inc. (Franklin County) � which received a $720,000 grant to support construction of the first unit of a biodiesel refinery in Richland. The new technology significantly reduces costs, simplifies permitting and reduces emissions. The project will create 10 permanent jobs.
� AB BioEnergy LLC (Yakima County) � which received $2 million in loans and grants to capture waste streams from their rendering facility, area food processors and restaurants to produce biofuel. The project will create 16 new jobs and retains 2 jobs in Toppenish.

To see a full list of projects receiving funding visit: http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/SEP_Projects.pdf

�Washington�s strength in clean tech and renewable energy is benefitting urban and rural communities on both sides of the Cascades,� said Rogers Weed, Director of the Washington State Department of Commerce. �These investments will build on that foundation and help drive sustainable economic growth and jobs statewide.�

"Farmers and food processors are finding success as they pursue innovative renewable energy projects," said Dan Newhouse, director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture. "In supporting these projects, we're deepening the connection between urban energy consumers and the rural economy and boosting awareness of the many positive roles agriculture plays in our state."

The Washington State Department of Commerce is administering more than $200 million in Recovery Act funding. For more information about the Department of Commerce, visit www.commerce.wa.gov.