$200 energy bill credit available for low-to-moderate income utility customers

Around one in five Washington households qualify for a $200 credit toward their power bill–including residential customers in the Coulee area.

It is fast and free to apply online, but applications must be in by September 15. 

The credit is available to customers served by Grant County PUD, the Town of Coulee Dam, Nespelem Valley Electric Co-Op, Ferry County PUD, Avista and some 40 other utilities across the state. More than 675,000 households in Washington will qualify, according to a press release from the Washington Department of Commerce.

The state is giving the funds to utilities to pass on to their customers through its new “Washington Families Clean Energy Credits” program. 

The Commerce program aims to give direct electricity bill relief to customers with household incomes at 80% or below the area median income, or AMI. A Commerce press release indicates they will serve average and above-average households–up to 150% AMI–as funds allow.

If you think you may qualify, visit wacleanenergycredits.com. It is free to apply, takes 30 seconds (have your utility account number handy) and no documentation is required. If you qualify, the credit will automatically apply to your bill. 

Customers enrolled in other assistance programs through local community agencies, such as home weatherization or nutrition assistance, may also qualify for an automatic credit, according to the release.

Washington Families Clean Energy Credits program receives funding through the Washington Climate Commitment Act, a so-called “cap-and-invest” program written to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Act requires large emitters of carbon dioxide (businesses including fuel suppliers and electric utilities) to participate in an “emissions allowance auction” – essentially, to pay for a permit to emit greenhouse gasses.

Greenhouse gasses including carbon dioxide and methane have been identified as accelerants to climate change.