FINAL BILL REPORT

                 4SHB 2009

                         C 186 L 96

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Eliminating the state energy office.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Casada, Huff, Campbell, Clements, Goldsmith, Elliot, Pelesky, Backlund, Reams, Smith, Delvin, Blanton and Beeksma).

House Committee on Energy & Utilities

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Energy, Telecommunications & Utilities

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:  The Washington State Energy Office (WSEO) was created statutorily in 1976.  Currently, WSEO performs functions related to energy policy analysis, implementation of the state energy strategy, nuclear safety and environmental monitoring, energy emergencies, renewable energy development, energy efficiency, energy codes, energy efficient transportation, and public sector energy conservation.  In addition, WSEO serves as a central repository and clearinghouse for energy data and other information, including information about petroleum consumption in the state. 

In fulfilling these functions, WSEO provides technical assistance to people, businesses, industries, and governmental institutions to help reduce energy costs.  WSEO has the authority to obtain information that is necessary to carry out its duties from energy producers, suppliers, and consumers doing business in the state.

WSEO also provides assistance, space, and other necessary support for the activities of the state's two representatives to the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council (the regional power planning council created by federal statute) and for the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC), which is responsible for coordinating the evaluation, siting, and licensing of major non-hydroelectric energy facilities.  (EFSEC also monitors the construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning of those energy facilities and enforces compliance with site certification conditions.  Current EFSEC membership includes WSEO, the Office of Financial Management, and the Parks and Recreation Commission.  The Military Department is not a member.  The chair of EFSEC receives $50 per day.)

In passing the Clean Air Act of 1991, the Legislature established the Commute Trip Reduction Program requiring employers of 100 employees or more to reduce the number of commute trips made by their employees, and created a statewide task force to organize the implementation of the program.  WSEO coordinates the Commute Trip Reduction Task Force and provides technical assistance to local jurisdictions and employers in meeting commute trip reduction goals.

WSEO also has lead responsibility in the areas of alternative fuels and clean vehicle technologies and, along with other agencies, assists the Department of Ecology in preparing a biennial report to the Legislature on clean-fuel issues.

State law requires energy conservation practices and renewable energy systems to be employed in the design of major publicly owned or leased facilities, and at least one renewable energy system to be considered.  WSEO is responsible for developing guidelines for fulfilling this requirement, including approving or disapproving life-cycle cost analyses.  (A "life-cycle cost analysis" is an analysis of the initial cost and cost of operation of a major facility over its economic life.)

In addition, state law imposes a variety of requirements on WSEO regarding conservation and cogeneration in governmental facilities, including schools.  In fulfilling its obligations, WSEO may use appropriated moneys to make loans to school districts to finance conservation projects.  State agencies may use financing contracts to fund conservation projects, but WSEO determines project eligibility.  WSEO is also responsible for establishing criteria for approving projects to be financed from the state energy efficiency construction account and for using moneys from the energy efficiency services account to provide energy efficiency services to state agencies and school districts.

Finally, the State Building Code Council consults with WSEO in establishing requirements for indoor air quality, reviews insulation values for windows, and proposes rules.  WSEO reviews the rules and makes recommendations to the council.

Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development

In 1993, the Legislature created the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) by merging the Department of Community Development and the Department of Trade and Economic Development.  CTED is responsible, among other things, for promoting community and economic development within the state, coordinating and administering energy assistance and residential energy conservation programs, and serving as central coordinator for state government in implementing the Growth Management Act.

Washington State University Cooperative Extension

Although it apparently does not do so currently, several years ago WSEO contracted with Washington State University to provide energy extension services.  Cooperative extension programs in several other states, including Oregon, provide a range of energy-related services to the general public, businesses, industry, and government.  Washington State University's Cooperative Extension Program (WSU) has a non-profit orientation but can receive funds from the state and other sources. 

Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for managing, financing, and constructing the state's highway and road system.  In recent years, increased population and increased use of single-occupancy vehicles have resulted in traffic congestion and the need for increased highway capacity.  As an alternative to more highways, new programs have been initiated to reduce the demand for highway usage.  Such programs are referred to as "transportation demand management."  DOT is implementing a number of transportation demand management programs and currently participates on the Commute Trip Reduction Task Force.

General Administration

In 1980, the Legislature determined that state government should undertake an aggressive program designed to reduce energy use in state buildings, facilities, equipment, and vehicles.  Much of the responsibility for doing so was placed with the Department of General Administration (GA).

Summary:  The statute establishing the Washington State Energy Office is repealed.  WSEO duties are transferred to the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development; Washington State University; the Department of Transportation; and the Department of General Administration.

Duties Transferred to CTED

Energy policy functions are transferred to CTED.  Energy policy staff positions remain exempt from state civil service laws, and current WSEO policy employees are not expressly transferred.  An assistant director for energy policy is to be appointed, and energy policy staff are to have no additional responsibilities.

WSEO duties regarding the state's two representatives to the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council and regarding EFSEC are transferred to CTED.  EFSEC membership is changed by eliminating WSEO, the Office of Financial Management, and the Parks and Recreation Commission, and by adding the Military Department.  The compensation of the chair of EFSEC is increased to $100 per day.

WSEO duties and authority regarding energy emergencies and shortages are transferred to CTED, but the authority to obtain information from energy producers, suppliers, and consumers doing business in the state is limited to energy supply emergencies or alerts.

CTED replaces WSEO in working with the State Building Code Council regarding indoor air quality, window insulation values, and proposed rules.

WSEO's duties in connection with nuclear waste storage and disposal facilities are repealed.

Duties Transferred to WSU

Duties regarding alternative fuels and clean-vehicle technologies and assisting in preparation of a biennial report to the Legislature on clean fuel issues are transferred to WSU.

In addition, the following duties concerning energy education, applied research, and technology transfer programs are transferred to WSU:  renewable energy, energy software, industrial energy efficiency, education and information, energy ideas clearinghouse, and telecommunications.

WSU is to select initial staff from current WSEO staff.  Staff hired by WSU are exempt from state civil service laws unless otherwise designated by the university.

Duties Transferred to DOT

The role of WSEO in the Commute Trip Reduction Program and Task Force is transferred to DOT.  By December 1, 1996, DOT must report to the Legislature on the effects of the transfer of the duties concerning the Commute Trip Reduction Program to DOT.

Duties Transferred to GA

WSEO duties regarding life-cycle cost analyses and regarding conservation and cogeneration in governmental facilities are transferred to GA, as are WSEO duties regarding expenditures from the energy efficiency service account.

"Public agencies" is defined and replaces the reference to "state agencies and school districts" in the energy efficiency services account statute.

Statutory provisions regarding loans to school districts to finance conservation projects and provisions regarding WSEO responsibilities concerning the energy efficiency construction account are repealed.  GA is to determine project eligibility for state agency use of financing contracts to fund conservation projects.

Miscellaneous Employee Provisions

The state must offer specified services to state employees affected by the elimination of WSEO.  Those services include (a) placement in the reduction-in-force transition pool; (b) placement in the Washington management services clearinghouse register for employees in the Washington management service; (c) career transition services through the Department of Personnel; (d) dislocated-worker training for employees in positions unique to the energy industry; (e) up to 30 weeks of unemployment benefits for qualifying employees; and (f) payment of $150 per month per employee for health benefits for up to one year.

Technical Corrections

"Hydroelectric power" is added to the definition of "renewable energy systems."

References to WSEO are stricken, and statutes are otherwise updated.

Votes on Final Passage:

House     80 17

Senate    43 6 (Senate amended)

House     89 0 (House concurred)

Effective:  July 1, 1996