San Juan County and OPALCO Advance in $5M Georgetown University Energy Prize

— from Michel Vekved, San Juan Islands Conservation District —

Today, San Juan County officially advances to the Semifinal round of the Georgetown University Energy Prize, a national competition that is challenging communities across the U.S. to rethink their energy use. At a press event in Washington, D.C. today, San Juan County was announced as one of the fifty communities who are leading the way on energy.

“In San Juan County, we know we must transform how we generate and use energy. Our plan addresses these challenges and charts a course of action,” said San Juan County Councilman Bob Jarman.

Over the past few months a local group of engaged citizens, OPALCO staff, and county leaders developed the San Juan Islands Energy Plan in preparation for the competition. Priorities include community and youth education and engagement, increasing energy efficiency and reducing waste, and promoting renewable sources of energy.

“San Juan County leaders, as well as mayors and executives across the county, have told us that this Prize gives them the momentum to accelerate their energy efficiency efforts,” said Dr. Francis Slakey, Founder and Executive Director of the Georgetown University Energy Prize. Slakey continued, “these Semifinalist communities are leading the way for other small- and medium-size cities and counties to secure their energy efficient future.”

“OPALCO is excited to continue to partner with the community to develop and implement a holistic approach to addressing our county energy needs,” said Amy Saxe, OPALCO’s Manager of Energy Savings and Member Services. “Efficiency and conservation are critical components of our energy San Juan County joins three other Pacific Northwest communities in this friendly competition to improve energy efficiency for all. Bellevue, Bellingham, Walla Walla, and Anacortes were also selected to compete.

“The competition looks truly like America,” said Dr. Slakey. “Not only do these communities come from across the map, they represent the nation’s full political, social and economic diversity. Some are paying the highest prices for energy, some have the ambition to be carbon net-zero, but all communities share the goal of transforming America’s energy future.”

For more information about San Juan County’s efforts and ways you can get involved, please visit www.sanjuanislandscd.org or contact the San Juan Islands Conservation District at 360-378-6621. For more information about OPALCO’s energy efficiency programs, visit www.opalco.com/energy-savings or call 360-376-3571.

About Georgetown University Energy Prize
The $5 million Georgetown University Energy Prize challenges small- to medium-size towns, cities, and counties to rethink their energy use, and implement creative strategies to increase efficiency. To compete for the Prize, local governments, residents, utilities, and others will need to work together to demonstrate success in sustainably reducing energy consumption over a two-year period. For more information, visit www.guep.org.