Washington State Green Bank Formally Rebrands as “Washington Builds,” to Scale Statewide Clean Energy Investment
September 10, 2026
For Immediate Release:
September 10, 2026
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Washington State Green Bank Formally Rebrands as “Washington Builds,” to Scale Statewide Clean Energy Investment
Rebrand Reflects Mission to Lower Household Energy Costs, Support Local Workforce Development, Strengthen Community Resilience Across Washington
Seattle, WA — Washington State Green Bank today officially announced its rebranding to Washington Builds, a name that reflects what the institution actually does — financing clean energy infrastructure that lowers energy costs, creates local jobs, and strengthens community resilience across the state.
The rebrand captures Washington Builds’s impact across the state:
- Washington Builds Energy Efficiency: Expanding access to low-interest, affordable capital for heat pumps, solar power, weatherization, and home retrofits to lower monthly utility bills for working families.
- Washington Builds Jobs: Driving local economic growth by strengthening the clean energy supply chain and supporting skilled, high-paying jobs in every corner of the state.
- Washington Builds Resilience: Investing in small businesses, agricultural operations, and Tribal nations to ensure local infrastructure can withstand extreme weather and energy market volatility.
- Washington Builds Community: Prioritizing equitable capital access for low-to-moderate income households, ensuring no community is left behind in the clean energy transition.
“Our transition to Washington Builds reflects the true scale and intent of our work across the state,” said Eli Lieberman, executive director of Washington Builds. “We are building a more affordable, resilient, and equitable energy future for all Washingtonians through clean energy financing.”
“Washington state is committed to a clean energy future, and I think it is important that we support our people and businesses that are making that transition with us and that we do not leave anyone behind,” said Senator Yasmin Trudeau who represents Washington State’s 27th District. “That is why I am so proud of Washington Builds, an entity that is capitalized with Climate Commitment Act funding to turn today's dollars into sustainable investments at the community level that can help families, small businesses, and local governments afford critical energy upgrades and lower their utility bills. This is about helping Washingtonians afford a cleaner environmental future and I cannot wait to see all the amazing projects they will support into the future!”
The launch of Washington Builds’s rebrand follows Washington State’s recent supplemental capital budget bill, signed by Governor Bob Ferguson, in which Washington Builds was appropriated $25 million, with a legislative intent for an additional $25 million committed for the 2027–2029 budget cycle. Of this state capitalization, $5.8 million will support residential projects, including solar, HVAC upgrades, EV chargers, and efficiency improvements, with a priority on low-to-moderate income households. Another $17.4 million will support commercial projects, providing small businesses and Tribes with the low-cost, affordable financing needed for clean energy upgrades, fleet transitions, and building improvements that lower long-term operating costs.
“Washington State is proving that the most long-term community impact happens when state institutions build for durable clean energy progress,” said Dan Adler, executive director of the U.S. Green Bank 50 (GB 50). “Washington Builds serves as a powerful model for how mission-driven finance can deliver energy affordability and regional economic growth. This strategic alignment strengthens the entire GB 50 network as we work together to scale proven financial solutions nationwide.”
Through its participation in the GB 50 network, Washington Builds collaborates with peer lenders across the country to share best practices, standardize financial products, and maximize the real-world return on state clean energy investments.
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Washington Builds is a 501(c)(3) financial institution that provides accessible and affordable financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for Washington residents, businesses, and agriculture that reduce costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs statewide.
The US Green Bank 50 (the GB 50) is the member-founded and member-driven coalition of Green Banks across the United States. The GB 50 supports regional, state, and local mission-driven green banks in accelerating clean energy project development that drives economic, health, and environmental benefits for communities across the country.
