FINAL BILL REPORT
HB 2669
C 191 L 02
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Including animal waste as a qualified alternative energy resource.
Sponsors: By Representatives Linville, Schoesler, Hunt, Chase and Wood.
House Committee on Technology, Telecommunications & Energy
Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Water
Background:
In 2001 the Legislature enacted a requirement that by January 1, 2002, all electric utilities (other than small electric utilities) must offer their retail consumers, at least quarterly, a voluntary choice to purchase electricity generated from alternative energy resources. Alternative energy resources include wind, solar, geothermal, landfill gas, wave action, gases from wastewater treatment, and qualified hydro power. In addition, biomass energy based on organic fuels from wood, forest, or field residue, or dedicated energy crops, that does not include wood treated with chemical preservatives, is considered an alternative energy resource. Consumers who choose a green option may pay a premium rate to support the generation of electricity from these sources.
There are a variety of sources of biomass energy. Generally, biomass energy utilizes the energy components of (1) agricultural residues from crops such as sugarcane, corn fiber and rice straw, (2) wood waste such as sawdust or timber slash, (3) energy crops such as fast growing trees (poplars, willows) and grasses (switch grass, elephant grass), and (4) methane from landfills, waste water treatment, and manure lagoons on cattle and hog farms to generate electricity, heat or fuels.
Summary:
Animal waste is included as a source of biomass energy that qualifies as an alternative energy resource. Utilities may offer their retail customers the option of purchasing electricity generated from a source using animal waste resources to satisfy the requirement that they offer retail customers an option (green option) to purchase electricity from an alternative energy resource.
Votes on Final Passage:
House980
Senate490
Effective: June 13, 2002