Bellingham selected as semifinalist in $5M Georgetown University Energy Prize

The city of Bellingham has advanced to the semifinal round of the Georgetown University Energy Prize, which challenges small- to medium-sized towns, cities and counties to rethink their energy use and implement creative strategies to increase efficiency.

Each community has submitted a plan to reduce energy use in homes and city and school district facilities that can be replicated elsewhere in the United States. The community with the best plan that most effectively reduces energy use over the 2015-16 period will be awarded a $5 million prize.

The prize provides a platform for communities to showcase local innovations to a national audience. More than 70 communities participated in the quarterfinalist rounds during 2014, but the field has been winnowed to a group of 50 select cities and counties who will be competing to reduce their energy consumption to make it into the finalist round in 2017.

The semifinalist communities hail from 27 states throughout the country. In Washington, Bellingham is joined by Anacortes, Bellevue, Walla Walla and San Juan County. These communities will share information and best practices.

Bellingham's plan is strengthened by broad community support. Partners include the City of Bellingham, Sustainable Connections, Cascade Natural Gas, RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, the Opportunity Council, Puget Sound Energy, the Bellingham School District, and Western Washington University's Institute for Energy Studies. Ultimately, the project will involve the entire community.

"Energy conservation is a win-win for the entire community: it reduces the cost of operating City and school district facilities, lowers consumer utility bills, and reduces carbon emissions," said Mark Gardner, who is coordinating the project for the City of Bellingham.

“Puget Sound Energy is very excited to be involved in the Georgetown University Energy Prize. It’s a tremendous opportunity to work together with our communities to spotlight the growing importance of energy efficiency and how every person makes a difference,” says PSE’s Pinky Vargas, Efficiency Outreach Manager. “What we do together now will affect generations to come.”

The diligence with which Bellingham has embraced energy and climate change issues has resulted in national leadership in the purchase of green power, substantial investments in energy efficiency by the City and School District, the creation of the successful Community Energy Challenge, and the development of innovative conservation programs in the schools. Given this record, we expect Bellingham to be a strong contender for the Prize.

To learn more about the Georgetown University Energy Prize and to track the competition’s progress, visit www.guep.org. For more information about Bellingham’s efforts and ways to get involved, visit Bellingham's website or contact Mark Gardner at 360-778-8204.