HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1742

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                     Energy & Utilities

Title:  An act relating to transferring support responsibility for the energy facility site evaluation council to the department of community, trade, and economic development.

Brief Description:  Providing that the department of community, trade, and economic development provide support for the energy facility site evaluation council.

Sponsors:  Representatives Mitchell, Casada and K. Schmidt.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Energy & Utilities:  2/14/95, 2/15/95 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Casada, Chairman; Crouse, Vice Chairman; Hankins, Vice Chairman; Kessler, Ranking Minority Member; Kremen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler; Huff; Mastin; Mielke; Mitchell and Patterson.

Staff:  Margaret Allen (786-7110).

Background:  In 1970, the Legislature created the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) to coordinate the evaluation, siting, and licensing of major non-hydroelectric energy facilities.  Since 1990, the Washington State Energy Office (WSEO) has been responsible for providing administrative assistance, space, and other support necessary for EFSEC activities.

The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (DCTED) is responsible, among other things, for promoting community and economic development within the state, coordinating and administering energy assistance and residential energy conservation programs, serving as central coordinator for state government in implementing the Growth Management Act, and providing emergency management services.

Summary of Bill:  Responsibility for providing administrative assistance, space, and other support necessary for EFSEC activities is transferred from WSEO to DCTED.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 9, 1995.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  Passage of the bill should be withheld until the Governor's Steering Committee has had a chance to complete its review of the Washington State Energy Office.  The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development is also in a transition phase.  It is premature to transfer this function as doing so may not be in the best interest of either agency.  If changes are necessary, please make them on the basis of deliberation and analysis, not in an ad hoc manner.

Testified:  (Con) Carole Washburn, Washington State Energy Office; Stan Finkelstein, Association of Washington Cities; and David McCramey, Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.  (Neutral) Fred Adair, Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council.