2025 Evergreen Options Grant Applicants
Evergreen Options is a voluntary program that allows Tacoma Power customers to buy electricity produced from new renewable sources, like wind and solar, through renewable energy certificates (RECs). This annual grant program helps organizations generate a portion of their own electricity from renewable sources. Learn more about Evergreen Options and how to enroll.
Meet the organizations hoping for your vote
Two organizations submitted applications for the 2025 Evergreen Options $50,000 grant. Your vote will help determine the winner. Evergreen Options participants will vote on the official winner.
Here’s what they want you to know about their organization and proposed renewable energy project:
- The Metropolitan Development Council
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For more than 60 years, Metropolitan Development Council (MDC) has been a lifeline in Pierce County, helping people overcome barriers to housing, health, education, and economic stability. Our headquarters at 721 Fawcett Avenue is the heart of that mission—home to programs that change lives every day.
From this building, our teams provide Energy Assistance and Weatherization services that help thousands of Tacoma Power customers keep the lights on and stay warm. It also houses our detox facility, offering a safe place for people to begin recovery, and young adult housing on the top floor, where youth experiencing homelessness find stability and support.
Installing solar panels on our headquarters will make this work even stronger. By reducing operating costs, we can direct more resources to the services that families rely on. And by harnessing clean, renewable energy, we’re setting an example for sustainability in our community.
When you vote for MDC, you’re voting for more than solar panels—you’re voting for brighter futures, safer homes, and a healthier Tacoma.
- Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
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Help Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium go solar!
The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium has been a vital part of the Tacoma community since its founding in 1905. The organization is accredited by the AZA and was recently selected as one of the top zoos in the nation. It is also known for its commitment to conservation work in the region and across the globe. With nearly 700,000 guests visiting each year, the zoo is a highly visible location where we can showcase how local institutions can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and promote clean energy.
By installing solar panels, we can generate clean, renewable energy to power zoo operations. This project is a critical step toward our goal of achieving Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050. The solar panels will also power future electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, which will be available to the public 365 days a year during zoo hours. After hours, these EV chargers will see use from zoo vehicles, allowing us to continue transitioning to a more electric fleet.
As a conservation-driven organization, the zoo already engages in extensive green practices, including water and energy conservation, composting, and public education programs about wildlife and the environment. This solar project represents a natural and necessary next step in our sustainability journey. We would be honored to partner with Tacoma Power in demonstrating how local institutions can lead by example in addressing climate change.