Jayapal Helps Secure Nearly $250,000 for Ocean-based Climate Solutions in Washington State

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) announced $248,403 in federal funding for Washington Maritime Blue, which represents businesses, community organizations, labor groups, and others dedicated to growing Washington State’s clean maritime economy. These funds come from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which Jayapal proudly supported, and will help small businesses in Washington develop climate resilience technology and solutions to assist the state in developing a sustainable maritime industry and economy by 2050.

“The maritime industry has historically been very difficult to decarbonize, but the local businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations that work with Maritime Blue are doing the hard work of developing the technology needed to accelerate our transition to a blue economy,” said Congresswoman Jayapal. “By making our maritime industry more clean energy focused, we will be able to reduce emissions in and around Puget Sound, leading to cleaner air and healthier lives for the surrounding communities. I was proud to support the Inflation Reduction Act and am thrilled to see this federal funding heading to our state – a longtime leader in protecting the environment and building climate-resilient infrastructure. 

The funding will go toward helping Maritime Blue expand their recruitment process, curriculum, and mentorship opportunities to align with and connect to research institutions across Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. This will allow them to help more early to mid-stage startups navigate commercialization pathways for ocean-based climate resilience solutions. 

Jayapal signed a letter of support for this funding request in 2023. This award builds on her support for Washington Maritime Blue’s November award of $840,810 from the Economic Development Administration’s 2023 Build to Scale Program for “Scaling Maritime Blue Economy Innovation.” Jayapal has also been a leader on climate resilience legislation at the federal level, introducing her Climate Resilience Workforce Act in 2023 to make the investments necessary to help the United States both prepare for and respond to the climate crisis. 

Issues: Environment