For Immediate Release
Contact
Kelsey Nyland, Communications Director
kelsey@cleanandprosperous.org
New Public EV Charging Site Opens at Swinomish Casino & Lodge
Funded in Part by the Climate Commitment Act, the New Site Adds 14 DC Fast-Charging Ports and 14 Level 2 Ports for Anacortes Residents and Visitors
Anacortes, WA (November 4, 2026) – On Thursday, October 29, 2026, local leaders gathered to celebrate the opening of a new public electric vehicle (EV) charging site at Swinomish Casino & Lodge. The site includes 14 DC fast-charging ports and 14 Level 2 charging ports, expanding access to EV charging for residents and visitors in and around Anacortes.
Funded in part through the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), the project is part of a broader effort to build out EV charging across the state, ensuring more Washingtonians can choose a transportation option that is not only cleaner, but more cost-stable. The project received support from the Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program (WAEVCP), the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Partnerships (ZEVIP) grant and Puget Sound Energy’s Up & Go Electric program.
The project is a partnership between multiple agencies and organizations:
- Washington State Department of Commerce: Funder
- Washington State Department of Transportation: Funder
- Swinomish Indian Tribal Community: Site host
- Clean & Prosperous: Project management and compliance
- Energy Northwest: Project management and compliance
- EVCS: Charging station provider
- Puget Sound Energy: Utility and funder
- VECA: Site installation
The CCA-funded Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program has awarded $135.7 million to build nearly 5,000 EV charging ports across Washington state. More information is available on the program dashboard.
Transportation is a significant source of emissions in the Skagit Valley. According to Skagit County’s 2022 greenhouse gas emissions analysis, “the transportation sector made up 15% of Skagit County’s 2022 communitywide emissions,” and on-road vehicles, including passenger vehicles, freight and service trucks, and transit vehicles, accounted for 75% of those transportation emissions. Public charging sites make it easier for residents and visitors to switch to electric.
In Washington state, drivers can save over $3,000 per year on gasoline and maintenance by switching from gasoline to electric. EVs are also good for public health: A recent study used satellites to measure nitrogen dioxide – a combustion pollutant linked to asthma and other heart and lung health risks – between 2019-2023 in California. During that period, the study found that for every increase of 200 electric vehicles across nearly 1,700 ZIP codes, nitrogen dioxide emissions decreased by 1.1 percent.
As gasoline and diesel prices remain volatile, investments in EV infrastructure are helping give communities more control over transportation costs while strengthening long-term energy resilience.
Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/v12SRadG9EBnmTz56
Media are able to use any of the above photos; please provide credit to Clean & Prosperous.
Recording: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZkSVgpdsyQP7Rz5W7
A recording of the speaking program is available above. Speakers include:
- Steve Edwards, Chair, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
- Michael Mann, Executive Director, Clean & Prosperous
- Mara MacDonell, EV Incentives Program Manager, Washington State Department of Commerce
- Caitlin Roberts, Tribal Programs Manager with the Clean Transportation Unit, Washington State Department of Commerce
- Katherine Romero, Tribal Government Affairs Manager, Puget Sound Energy
Quotes:
“We want clean water and clean air, and the land is very important to us. This work is beyond us, because by working together we can make Washington a better, safer, and cleaner place to live. This site is open to everybody – we’re honored to host this resource for the community,” said Steve Edwards, Chairman, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community.
“Electrifying our transportation system is good for Washingtonians’ health, and our wallets. Driving on electricity is the equivalent of driving for less than a dollar and a quarter per gallon, saving Washington drivers up to $3,000 each year on fuel and maintenance costs,” said Michael Mann, Executive Director, Clean & Prosperous.
“The Washington State Department of Commerce is helping ensure residents and businesses have access to cleaner, more affordable transportation. The environmental and economic benefits of electric vehicles are huge, but without robust charging infrastructure, those savings remain out of reach for many. This new charging site shows what the state is doing to address those gaps in the system,” said Mara MacDonell, EV Incentives Program Manager, Washington State Department of Commerce.
“This work is about more than technology and infrastructure. It’s about relationships. We recognize that every tribe has its own goals, needs, and their own version and vision for its future. Our responsibility at Puget Sound Energy is to listen, show up, and respect tribal sovereignty and build partnerships that support each tribe’s responsibilities and priorities, said Katherine Romero, Tribal Government Affairs Manager, Puget Sound Energy.
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