Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Environment & Energy Committee
HB 1393
Brief Description: Delaying certain implementation dates for the photovoltaic module stewardship and takeback program.
Sponsors: Representatives Shewmake, Ramel, Lekanoff and Duerr.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires a photovoltaic module manufacturer to submit a stewardship plan to the Department of Ecology by July 1, 2024, rather than July 1, 2022.
  • Requires a manufacturer or its designated stewardship organization to provide an annual report to the Department of Ecology beginning April 1, 2026, rather than April 1, 2024.
  • Requires that no manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or installer may sell or offer for sale a photovoltaic module for which a stewardship plan has not been approved beginning July 1, 2025, rather than July 1, 2023.
Hearing Date: 2/5/21
Staff: Sarah Cooper (786-7290) and Nikkole Hughes (786-7156).
Background:

The Department of Ecology (Department) oversees the Photovoltaic Module Stewardship and Takeback Program (Program).  Under the Program, manufacturers implement a self-directed program to ensure the convenient, safe, and environmentally sound takeback and recycling of photovoltaic modules and their components and materials.


Each manufacturer must prepare and submit a stewardship plan to the Department by the later of July 1, 2022, or within 30 days of its first sale of a photovoltaic module in or into the state.  The stewardship plan must:

  • describe how manufacturers will finance the takeback and recycling system;
  • accept all of the manufacturer's photovoltaic modules sold in or into the state after July 1, 2017;
  • describe how the program will minimize the release of hazardous substances and maximize the recovery of other components;
  • provide for takeback of photovoltaic modules;
  • identify how relevant stakeholders will receive information; and
  • establish performance goals.

 

Beginning April 1, 2024, and by April 1st in each subsequent year, each manufacturer, or its designated stewardship organization, must provide to the Department a report for the previous calendar year that documents implementation of the plan and assesses the achievement of performance goals outlined in the stewardship plan.


Beginning July 1, 2023, no manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or installer may sell or offer for sale a photovoltaic module in or into the state unless the manufacturer of the photovoltaic module has submitted to the Department a stewardship plan and received plan approval.
Summary of Bill:

Each manufacturer must prepare and submit a stewardship plan by the later of July 1, 2024, or within 30 days of its first sale of a photovoltaic module in or into the state.


Beginning April 1, 2026, and by April 1st in each subsequent year, each manufacturer, or its designated stewardship organization, must provide to the Department a report for the previous calendar year that documents implementation of the plan and assesses the achievement of performance goals outlined in the stewardship plan.


Beginning July 1, 2025, no manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or installer may sell or offer for sale a photovoltaic module in or into the state unless the manufacturer of the photovoltaic module has submitted to the Department a stewardship plan and received plan approval.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.