Submitted by Yelm Community Schools District
Representatives from RES (Renewable Energy Systems), the developers and construction firm for the Skookumchuck Wind project, presented the Yelm Community Schools District with a check for $17,000 this evening at the monthly meeting of the school board. The $17,000 donation will support nine schools in the district, with $5,000 set aside for the high school football field’s renovation and maintenance, $1,500 to each of the two middle schools, and $1,500 to each of six elementary schools.
Skookumchuck Wind is a 137-megawatt wind project located across 22,000 acres in Lewis and Thurston Counties and once fully operational, will power approximately 48,000 homes with clean, renewable energy. The wind project is a key element in helping Washington State achieve its new mandate to reach 100% clean energy by 2045. The Skookumchuck Wind project is a partnership between Puget Sound Energy, Weyerhaeuser, TransAlta and RES. The donation to the Yelm Community School District was made on behalf of RES.
“We believe that we have an obligation to deliver clean energy and make a positive impact in communities like Yelm where we are working, which is why we’re so proud to make this donation to the school district,” said Jessica Coffey, RES project manager at the Skookumchuck Wind project. “We are excited to bring significant benefits to the local communities of Thurston and Lewis counties.”
“On behalf of our students, we are so grateful to RES and the Skookumchuck Wind project for this timely and substantial donation to our schools,” said Brian Wharton, Superintendent of the Yelm Community School District. “These funds will go far in supporting not only our high school athletic program, but also activity programs at all schools in the district. We also look forward to partnering with the Skookumchuck Wind project on educational projects, classroom experiences and future employment opportunities for our students.”
