Skagit County’s Guemes Island Ferry is going electric, thanks to Washington’s Climate Commitment Act! This will be the first new build all-electric ferry in the nation, leading the way to cleaner ferry systems in the region and beyond. The new ferry will replace a 44-year-old diesel vessel and save 52,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year, keeping our waters clean and ecosystems thriving. Projects like this one are an example of how the Climate Commitment Act will help more communities invest in cleaner transportation options. I look forward to sharing the joy of the first voyage with the Skagit community.

Thank you Governor Jay Inslee for visiting the Guemes Island ferry terminal on Wednesday to hear about our project to replace the 44 year old diesel engine vessel with the first all-electric ferry in Washington state! This project will help reduce operating costs for Skagit County while also reducing harmful pollutants from a diesel engine. Check out the Governor’s video below for a snippet of his visit!

Skagit County is currently seeking bid proposals for construction and delivery of the all-electric ferry design. Shipyards interested in participating in this Invitation for Bids are encouraged to visit http://www.skagitcounty.net/rfp for more details. Bid proposals are due December 4, 2023, by 1:00 p.m. PST.