SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6166
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As of January 14, 2016
Title: An act relating to allowing incremental electricity produced as a result of certain capital investment projects to qualify as an eligible renewable resource under the energy independence act.
Brief Description: Allowing incremental electricity produced as a result of certain capital investment projects to qualify as an eligible renewable resource under the energy independence act.
Sponsors: Senators Takko, Rivers, Ericksen, Chase, Roach, Becker, Sheldon and Benton.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Energy, Environment & Telecommunications: 1/14/16.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS |
Staff: Kimberly Cushing (786-7421)
Background: Approved by voters in 2006, the Energy Independence Act, also known as Initiative 937 (I-937), requires electric utilities with 25,000 or more customers to meet targets for energy conservation and using eligible renewable resources. Utilities that must comply with I-937 are called qualifying utilities.
Eligible Renewable Resource Targets and Compliance Dates. Each qualifying utility must use eligible renewable resources or acquire equivalent renewable energy credits, or a combination of both, to meet the following annual targets:
at least 3 percent of its load by January 1, 2012, and each year thereafter through December 31, 2015;
at least 9 percent of its load by January 1, 2016, and each year thereafter through December 31, 2019; and
at least 15 percent of its load by January 1, 2020, and each year thereafter.
Eligible Renewable Resource. The term eligible renewable resource means electricity generated from a resource such as wind, solar, geothermal energy, landfill and sewage gas, wave and tidal power, and certain biodiesel fuels. In addition, an eligible renewable resource must be generated in a facility that started operating after March 31, 1999, and the facility must either be located in the Pacific Northwest or the electricity from the facility must be delivered into the state on a real-time basis. Under certain conditions, incremental electricity produced as a result of efficiency improvements to hydroelectric generation facilities may also count as an eligible renewable resource.
Summary of Bill: A qualifying utility may use incremental electricity produced as a result of a capital investment project completed after March 31, 1999, as an eligible renewable resource to comply with I-937. The increase in the amount of electricity generated must be relative to a baseline level of generation prior to the capital investment project at a facility that began operation before March 31, 1999. The facility must be powered by a renewable resource other than freshwater.
The Department of Commerce must adopt rules to develop a methodology for calculating baseline levels of generation of electricity produced prior to a capital investment project.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 11, 2016.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.