Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Technology, Telecommunications & Energy Committee

HB 2101

Brief Description:  Allowing public utility district ownership and operation of electric generation facilities.

Sponsors:  Representatives Cooper, Delvin, Reardon, Crouse, Berkey and Campbell.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Allows first class cities, public utility districts, and joint operating agencies to joint with other public and private entities for the acquisition, construction, and operation of any electric generating facility.

Hearing Date:  2/21/01

Staff:  Pam Madson (786‑7166).

Background: 

First class cities, public utility districts, and joint operating agencies are authorized to acquire, construct and operate nuclear or other thermal electrical generating facilities.  These entities may enter into agreements with each other, or with rural electric cooperatives or private regulated Washington or Oregon utilities to acquire, develop and operate electrical generating facilities.

Any agreement must provide that each city, public utility district, or joint operating agency must own a percentage of the facility equal to the percentage of money, property, or financing it has provided.  Each participant in the facility is responsible for its share of taxes.

It is declared to be in the public interest and for a public purpose for first class cities, public utility districts, joint operating agencies, rural electric cooperatives, and regulated electric companies to participate together in the development of nuclear and other thermal power facilities.

Summary of Bill: 

First class cities, public utility districts, and joint operating agencies may enter into agreements with the following entities for the purpose of acquiring, constructing and operating electrical generating facilities:  Port districts; irrigation districts; water-sewer districts; entities formed under the Interlocal Cooperation Act; investor-owned utilities; private nonutility developers; direct service industrial customers; and any commercial or industrial customer of any utility participating in a joint ownership and development agreement for the generation of electricity.

It is declared to be in the public interest and for a public purpose that first class cities, public utility districts, and joint operating agencies be authorized to participate together with these public and private entities in the development of any electric power facility and transmission facility.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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