South Whidbey companies obtain grants for photo voltaic tasks
Arndt Property Management and Mutiny Bay Blues have earned awards from the US Department of Agriculture
Two South Whidbey tasks utilizing clear power lately obtained some recognition from native leaders and authorities officers.
Last week, Arndt Property Management and Mutiny Bay Blues accepted Environmental Stewardship awards from the US Department of Agriculture. Both companies obtained grants from the USDA in 2023 to put in photo voltaic panels.
USDA awarded $2.3 million to 18 extra renewable power tasks in 13 Washington counties as a part of 700 clear power tasks awarded nationwide, totaling greater than $238 million, in keeping with data from a USDA press launch. These tasks have been funded by President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.
Damon Arndt, co-owner of Arndt Property Management, stated the $23,760 grant the enterprise obtained lined about 30% of the price of putting in photo voltaic panels on the Soundview Center, a group of particular person companies and practitioners at Langley.
Damon stated he and his spouse, Shannon, determined to place within the obligatory electrical work for photo voltaic power when the Soundview Center was transformed earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic, however could not afford the price of the set up. -installation of climate panels.
The 26.8 kilowatt photo voltaic array was formally delivered to life final August. Damon defined that extra power generated from the panels goes again into the power grid. He is happy to see how a lot power can be generated this July and August, that are the height occasions of the yr for solar energy. The winter months haven’t got a huge impact on power payments, however that would quickly change.
Helen Price Johnson, the state director for the USDA, introduced the award to Damon on April 26. US Rep. Rick Larsen, state Rep. Clyde Shavers, Langley Mayor Kennedy Horstman, Island County Commissioner Janet St. Clair, Langley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nicole Whittington-Johnson and Whidbey Conservation District Executive Director Heather McCoy have been additionally current through the ceremony, which included a tour of the Soundview Center.
Damon stated it is a chance for leaders like Larsen to see that “these (federal) funds can truly be used and make a distinction in native communities.”
Mutiny Bay Blues, an natural farm in Freeland, additionally obtained an award from the USDA, fittingly for Earth Day. The farm used a $78,800 grant to buy and set up an 88.2 kilowatt photo voltaic array.
“It is given in recognition of nice dedication to conservation and carbon discount by way of the usage of renewable power, demonstrating eco-friendly enterprise practices and embodying environmental accountability by way of local weather good investments,” Lauren stated. Fletcher of Mutiny Bay Blues in an electronic mail.
Price Johnson stated in a press launch that the USDA grants will make a distinction in serving to agricultural producers and small enterprise house owners in rural areas develop their use of fresh power and enhance the surroundings.
