As AWC worked on the integration of climate change considerations into the Growth Management Act, one of our priorities was ensuring that cities were provided the resources to undertake this new work. Commerce has announced the first round of planning grants to support this effort.
Climate planning grant overview
Commerce will make approximately $30 million available in statewide grants for the 2023-2025 biennium with an expectation that additional resources will be appropriated through the current periodic update. The application window closes on October 31, 2023.
Apply now for climate planning grants - $30 million available (govdelivery.com)
Each fully planning city and county is eligible for funding based on applicability (RCW 36.70A.040 (4)). These grants support implementation of HB 1181, with the current biennium’s funding prioritized for cities and counties with 2025 and 2026 due dates on their comprehensive plan updates. Grant amounts and distribution details are available in the grant instructions.
The following climate planning related activities are eligible for funding:
- Adopting comprehensive plan policy and development regulation amendments to implement HB 1181 (2023) as applicable.
- Other planning activities related to implementing HB 1181: A jurisdiction could propose both to adopt a climate element and conduct an implementation activity related to the adopted plan. Implementation activities must be climate planning related and not capital or infrastructure projects. Examples of implementation activities include (but not limited to): development of EV infrastructure plan; municipal building decarbonization plan; urban heat resilience strategy; or, native & climate-resilient planting plans for municipal projects.
Grant Materials