From installing rooftop solar panels and EV charging stations, to building battery backup systems and deploying electric vehicle fleets, King County continues making progress toward ambitious climate goals that cut greenhouse gas emissions and help communities prepare for climate impacts.
Thanks to the work of a cross-department workgroup, some of the County’s investments in sustainability are being delivered with a reduced price tag. The County has received more than $7.2 million in federal energy tax credits, with support from the Washington Department of Commerce’s Federal Clean Energy Tax Assistance Program.
“This collaborative approach saves ratepayer dollars and generates clean power, a true win-win,” said Kamuron Gurol, Director of the King County Wastewater Treatment Division. “Hats off to the workgroup for bringing this success to life.”
The Wastewater Treatment Division received the largest credit for installing a new onsite battery system, along with solar panels, as part of a Power Quality Improvement project at the West Point Treatment Plant. The system includes more than 2,000 batteries that improve power stability for two critical pump systems. This allows the plant to “ride out” temporary power disruptions and reduces the risk of emergency releases of untreated wastewater into Puget Sound, especially during severe storms.
Overall, reimbursements for King County clean energy projects completed in 2023 and 2024 include:
- $4.6 million for the 16.8-megawatt battery storage system at the West Point Treatment Plant, which has already proven to be a reliable source of constant power during storms, preventing potential pollution into Puget Sound.
- $1.9 million for adding 244 light-duty electric vehicles to its fleet, including pickup trucks, vans, and other vehicles across six County departments.
- $440,000 for 11 battery electric buses for the King County Metro fleet that reduce harmful emissions and will be operated in south King County communities disproportionately affected by air pollution.
- $285,000 for three solar projects at wastewater treatment and solid waste facilities, including the Bow Lake and Shoreline recycling and transfer stations operated by DNRP’s Solid Waste Division.
- $88,000 for nine electric vehicle charging ports at a King County Metro transit base.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 allows tax-exempt entities to receive federal clean energy tax credits as reimbursements on investments they make in the transition to clean energy, such as installing solar or moving to electric vehicle fleets.
While the current federal administration is ending most of the energy tax credit programs, King County employees across multiple departments and workgroups came together to compile and submit the necessary paperwork for Internal Revenue Service reimbursement for work completed during 2023 and 2024.
“Clean energy tax credits with direct pay were a breakthrough for local governments because they allow us to receive the full value of federal incentives,” said Eben Sutton, Chief Accountant for the King County Finance and Business Operations Division. “This means that our solar projects pay off sooner, our fleets can purchase EVs at lower costs, and we can stretch public dollars further to support our climate goals.”
Additional tax credits are expected for projects that were wrapped up in 2025.
King County’s clean energy investments are a central pillar of its Strategic Climate Action Plan, the five-year blueprint for climate action that outlines the County’s priorities and commitments to residents and partners.
Through the state’s Clean Energy Tax Credit Assistance Program, King County received extensive support from Giraffe Financial to file documents properly and ensure the County could secure the maximum possible credit.
Lawyers for Good Government provided ongoing legal support to navigate credit eligibility and help the County understand complicated federal rules. This support both saved the County significant money to file the 600-plus page return and the burden of identifying and procuring tax and legal expertise.