S-3823

AN ACT Relating to the duties of the energy office; and amending RCW 43.21F.045.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 43.21F.045 and 1990 c 12 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

The energy office shall have the following duties:

(1) The office shall prepare and update contingency plans for implementation in the event of energy shortages or emergencies. The plans shall conform to chapter 43.21G RCW and shall include procedures for determining when these shortages or emergencies exist, the state officers and agencies to participate in the determination, and actions to be taken by various agencies and officers of state government in order to reduce hardship and maintain the general welfare during these emergencies. The office shall coordinate the activities undertaken pursuant to this subsection with other persons. The components of plans that require legislation for their implementation shall be presented to the legislature in the form of proposed legislation at the earliest practicable date. The office shall report to the governor and the legislature on probable, imminent, and existing energy shortages, and shall administer energy allocation and curtailment programs in accordance with chapter 43.21G RCW.

(2) The office shall establish and maintain a central repository in state government for collection of existing data on energy resources, including:

(a) Supply, demand, costs, utilization technology, projections, and forecasts;

(b) Comparative costs of alternative energy sources, uses, and applications; and

(c) Inventory data on energy research projects in the state conducted under public and/or private auspices, and the results thereof.

(3) The office shall coordinate federal energy programs appropriate for state-level implementation, carry out such energy programs as are assigned to it by the governor or the legislature, and monitor federally funded local energy programs as required by federal or state regulations.

(4) The office shall develop energy policy recommendations for consideration by the governor and the legislature.

(5) The office shall provide assistance, space, and other support as may be necessary for the activities of the state's two representatives to the Pacific northwest electric power and conservation planning council. To the extent consistent with federal law, the office shall request that Washington's council members request the administrator of the Bonneville power administration to reimburse the state for the expenses associated with the support as provided in the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act (P.L. 96-501).

(6) The office shall cooperate with state agencies, other governmental units, and private interests on energy matters.

(7) The office shall represent the interests of the state in the siting, construction, and operation of nuclear waste storage and disposal facilities.

(8) The office shall serve as the official state agency responsible for coordination of energy-related activities.

(9) No later than December 1, 1982, and by December 1st of each even-numbered year thereafter, the office shall prepare and transmit to the governor and the legislature a report on energy supply and demand, conservation, and other factors as appropriate.

(10) The office shall provide support for increasing cost-effective energy conservation, including assisting in the removal of impediments to timely implementation.

(11) The office shall provide support for the development of cost-effective energy resources including assisting in the removal of impediments to timely construction.

(12) The office shall represent the interests of the state in matters that encourage adequate supplies of energy resources for the citizens of the state.

(13) The office shall represent the interests of the state in the siting of electrical transmission and distribution facilities and natural gas distribution facilities.

(14) The office shall adopt rules, under chapter 34.05 RCW, necessary to carry out the powers and duties enumerated in this chapter.

((~~(13)~~)) (15) The office shall provide administrative assistance, space, and other support as may be necessary for the activities of the energy facility site evaluation council, as provided for in RCW 80.50.030.