Who will win the Hydro Challenge?

If you’ve been to a Mariners game, you’ve seen the Hydro Challenge. Did you cheer for the red boat, the yellow, or the green? As it happens, there’s a new “hydro challenge”, and Washington state is in the lead with a very green boat.

Built in Bellingham by All American Marine, the “Sea Change” is the first passenger ferry in the world powered entirely by hydrogen fuel cells. 

The project is funded by private capital from SWITCH, an impact investment platform building the first fleet of exclusively zero-carbon maritime vessels to accelerate the decarbonization and energy transition of the US maritime sector.  “By working closely with the US Coast Guard, with innovative technology partners, and with best-in-class shipyards such as All American Marine, we can make the transition to decarbonized shipping a reality today,” said Pace Ralli, Co-Founder and CEO of SWITCH. “We don’t have to wait.” 

The project received important public support including a $3 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that comes from California Climate Investments, a California statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen the economy, and improve public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities. 

California’s Cap-and-Trade system was a model for Washington’s new Climate Commitment Act (CCA) Cap-and-Invest system, which will fund projects including transportation decarbonization such as ferry electrification, port equipment and drayage truck electrification, EV charging infrastructure and more. These public investments can attract private investments and accelerate growth in businesses that make a difference in our climate, our health, and our economy.

The “Sea Change” from All American Marine exemplifies the opportunity for Washington state to prosper from climate progress. Our state’s plan to electrify the Washington State Ferries is another major step forward, and puts another in-state manufacturer — Vigor — to work on our clean economy future.

Coming up this Friday at 10 a.m. PT, we’ll learn more about what our state can do, and get an early peek at the upcoming 2022 legislative session in Olympia.

Save your spot. Register HERE. If you have already registered, please invite any of your colleagues who may be interested in participating. Please share this email with your network.

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