| SB 6248-S.E - DIGEST |
| (DIGEST AS ENACTED) |
Allows the utilities and transportation commission, after conducting an adjudicative proceeding, to authorize an electrical company to place amounts from one or more regulatory liabilities into a retirement account to cover decommissioning and remediation costs of eligible coal units that commenced commercial operations before January 1, 1980. |
| VETO MESSAGE ON ESSB 6248 |
| April 1, 2016 |
| To the Honorable President and Members, |
| The Senate of the State of Washington |
| Ladies and Gentlemen: |
| I am returning herewith, without my approval as to Section 3, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6248 entitled: |
"AN ACT Relating to risk mitigation plans to promote the transition of eligible coal units [a pathway for a transition of eligible coal units]." |
| Section 3 of the bill prohibits the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) from authorizing the use of retirement account funds if the electrical company proposes a closure or retirement date before December 31, 2022, subject to certain exceptions. This section inappropriately changes the long-standing definition of how the commission determines whether utility investment and expenses are prudent. It unnecessarily interferes with the market and with UTC role in determining how best to protect the ratepayers of Washington-owned utilities. |
| For these reasons I have vetoed Section 3 of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6248. |
| With the exception of Section 3, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6248 is approved. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| Jay Inslee |
| Governor |