Energy resilience is the goal

Point Roberts has won a grant that represents the first steps of bringing more reliable, resilient, carbon-free energy to our town.

In April, Resilient Point Roberts: Going Solar (RPRG Solar), in collaboration with the Point Roberts parks district, applied for a grant of $150,000 ($133,000 in state funding + $17,000 community investment) from Washington state’s Clean Energy Community Decarbonization Grants program. In June, Point Roberts was awarded the full $133,000 in state funds.

RPRG Solar is a voluntary initiative devoted to creating greater community resilience through solar and backup power. The funds will be used to conduct feasibility studies for installing solar panels and backup systems on public buildings including the community center, the fire district (and health clinic), the water district building and reservoir, the library and Trinity Church which serves as an emergency shelter.

“We are moving towards energy independence and resilience on the Point,” said Stephen Falk, a parks district commissioner and co-author of the grant request. “Having solar and storage means we reduce our dependence on external power supplies, which are susceptible to disruptions.”

Many local groups have already backed the plan. Letters of Support for the grant were provided by the Point Roberts Taxpayers Association, the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee, the Whatcom County Library System, Whatcom County Fire District No. 5, Point Roberts Water District No. 4, Point Roberts Emergency Planning, Circle of Care, Trinity Community Lutheran Church, Point Roberts Animal Welfare Society, and PRO-Earth. Additionally, $17,000 in financial support was provided by the fire district ($10k), parks district ($5k), and a local private contribution ($2k).

“Point Roberts residents are resilient. Bringing solar and backup to our community buildings is part of ensuring our infrastructure is resilient too,” said Shauna Sylvester, lead convenor of RPRG Solar. “I think we were successful in getting the Clean Energy grant because Washington state recognized how engaged we have been as a community in this process. A big thanks to the RPRG Solar volunteers, the leadership of the parks district, fire chief Christopher Carleton and fire and water district commissioners, Trinity Church, and all the volunteer committees who supported us. We’re on our way!”

For more information, contact Kara Smith at resilientpointroberts@gmail.com or go to www.resilientpointroberts.com.