HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 6573

BYSenate Committee on Energy & Utilities (originally sponsored by Senators Benitz, Williams, Patrick and Stratton)

Revising the administration of the energy facility site evaluation council.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (13)

      Signed by Representatives Nelson, Chair; H. Myers, Vice Chair; Hankins, Ranking Republican Member; Bennett, Brooks, Cooper, Gallagher, Jacobsen, Jesernig, May, R. Meyers, Miller and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Fred Adair (786-7113)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 27, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) was created in 1970 as the principal state agency responsible for reviewing and coordinating applications for the siting of major new energy facilities within the state and recommending their disposition to the governor.  The agency was directed to assure that the state was provided with adequate energy sources with proper safeguards for the environment and the welfare of the people.  Since its creation, EFSEC has played a major role in decisions on location and operation of nuclear plants constructed by the Washington Public Power Supply System, a proposed coal-fired plant in Creston, and two proposed cross-state oil pipelines.  In recent years there has not been any such major construction proposed, and the agency's focus has been on monitoring existing sites and testing emergency response capabilities.

SUMMARY:

The Washington State Energy Office (WSEO) is to provide all administrative and staff support to EFSEC.  The property, personnel of, and appropriations to, EFSEC pertaining to its administration and support are transferred to WSEO.  Authorization for a salary for the Chairman of EFSEC is eliminated.  Members of EFSEC are authorized to receive travel and lodging, per diem expenses, and compensation for each meeting attended.  The powers of EFSEC are expanded to include serving as an interagency coordinating body for energy-related issues.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

Effective Date:July 1, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Dick Watson, Director, State Energy Office; and Senator Max Benitz, prime sponsor.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Cost savings would be achieved by the combination of EFSEC and WSEO staffing.  Policy benefits could result from the new responsibility for interagency coordination.  EFSEC is not destroyed; a nucleus remains that can activate if an energy facility application is received.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.