BILL REQ. #:  H-2763.1 

Read first time 05/20/11.   Referred to Committee on Environment.

     AN ACT Relating to an analysis of hydroelectric generation and the energy independence act; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The utilities and transportation commission and the department of commerce must jointly select a consultant located within the state of Washington with experience in economic and policy analysis to conduct an analysis of the energy independence act, chapter 19.285 RCW, and the treatment of hydroelectric power as an eligible renewable resource. Specifically, the analysis must review the following elements and recommend changes to the energy independence act that will stabilize energy costs for consumers and businesses including:
     (a) The variability of water flow on an annual and seasonal basis through hydroelectric dams and its impact on the market price of power;
     (b) The amount of hydroelectric generation that has been curtailed to accommodate generation from other sources and from available data, a forecast of future curtailment of hydroelectric generation to meet the requirements of the energy independence act;
     (c) The amount of capacity in the hydroelectric generation system that can serve as firming power for intermittent renewable resources and the real opportunity cost of curtailing hydroelectric generation in favor of other generation sources;
     (d) The average price per megawatt hour of hydroelectric power generated within the state of Washington compared to new wind and solar power and, as data is available, other renewable resources as that term is defined in RCW 19.285.030;
     (e) The estimated cost of new infrastructure necessary to integrate wind, solar, and other renewable resources onto the electric grid to meet the requirements of the energy independence act and other state renewable energy requirements;
     (f) The role of federal regulations on the generational and operational flexibility of hydroelectric dams within the state of Washington; and
     (g) The policy treatment in other states with renewable energy requirements of hydroelectric generation as an eligible renewable resource.
     (2) The utilities and transportation commission and the department of commerce must report the findings and recommendations of the analysis to the legislature by January 1, 2012.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.