H-1876.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2189

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State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Representatives Poulsen, Morris, Ruderman, O'Brien, Schual‑Berke and McIntire

Read first time 02/22/2001.  Referred to Committee on Technology, Telecommunications & Energy.

Developing geothermal energy.

    AN ACT Relating to developing geothermal energy; amending RCW 43.140.900; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that potential geothermal energy has remained largely undeveloped in the Cascade mountains.  It is in the best interest of the state of Washington and its residents to develop this resource where there are not significant environmental issues.  The legislature further finds that most of this potential rests on United States forest service lands and that it has been very reluctant for two decades to process geothermal leases.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  The Washington State University energy program shall actively engage the United States forest service to eliminate barriers to geothermal energy and to resolve issues.

    Sec. 3.  RCW 43.140.900 and 1991 c 76 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    This chapter shall terminate on June 30, ((2001)) 2011.

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