[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to the joint task force on long-term energy supply; amending RCW 43.21F.015 and 43.21F.090; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 43.21F.015 and 1994 c 207 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

It is the policy of the state of Washington that:

(1) The development and use of a diverse array of energy resources with emphasis on conservation, renewable energy resources, and new generation technologies shall be encouraged;

(2) The supply of energy shall be sufficient to insure the health and economic welfare of its citizens that includes meeting projected demand for Washington as well as other states or foreign countries having an impact on this state's energy supply;

(3) The development and use of energy resources shall be consistent with the statutory environmental policies of the state;

(4) Energy conservation and elimination of wasteful and uneconomic uses of energy and materials shall be encouraged, and this conservation should include, but is not limited to, resource recovery that achieves at least a doubling of previous resource utilization or eighty-percent efficiency and materials recycling;

(5) In energy emergency shortage situations, energy requirements to maintain ((~~the~~)) critical public health, safety, and welfare activities shall be given priority in the allocation of energy resources while curtailing noncritical government functions, and citizens and industry shall be assisted in adjusting to the limited availability of energy in order to minimize adverse impacts on their physical, social, and economic well being;

(6) State government shall provide a source of impartial and objective information in order that this energy policy may be enhanced; and

(7) The state energy strategy shall provide primary guidance for implementation of the state's energy policy.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) A joint task force on long-term energy supply is established. The joint task force will consist of nineteen members, as follows:

(a) Two members from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate. At least one member from each caucus will be a member of the standing committee that hears energy issues. The standing committee members will be the chair of the committee and the ranking minority member of the committee;

(b) Two members from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. At least one member from each caucus will be a member of the standing committee that hears energy issues. The standing committee members will be the chair of the committee and the ranking minority member of the committee;

(i) Three members representing the investor-owned utilities;

(ii) One member representing public utility districts;

(iii) One member representing rural electric cooperatives;

(iv) One member representing municipal corporations providing utility services;

(v) One member representing environmental organizations; and

(vi) Two members representing energy users;

(d) One member representing the governor's office, appointed by the governor; and

(e) The assistant director for energy policy within the department of community, trade, and economic development or its successor agency.

(2) The task force will choose its chair from among its membership.

(3) The task force, where feasible, may consult with individuals from the public and private sector or ask such persons to establish an advisory committee.

(4) The task force will study, as part of its review of the state's energy strategy under section 3 of this act, issues relating to long-term energy supply and:

(a) Identify methods to ensure the creation of new capacity in the electrical supply system in advance of the critical need for energy;

(b) Identify obstacles that provide a disincentive to building new generation;

(c) Identify incentives for investment in building new generation capacity, including setting a floor price for electricity to offset costs of construction; and

(d) Identify specific actions that may be taken to implement the state's energy strategy.

(5) The task force will use staff from senate committee services and the house of representatives office of program research and staff from the governor's office and the department of community, trade, and economic development, but may hire additional staff with specific technical expertise if such expertise is necessary to carry out the mandates of this study.

(6) The task force will report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 31, 2002.

(7) This section expires July 1, 2003.

Sec. 3. RCW 43.21F.090 and 1996 c 186 s 106 are each amended to read as follows:

The ((~~department~~)) joint task force on long-term energy supply established in section 2 of this act shall review the state energy strategy as developed under section 1, chapter 201, Laws of 1991((~~, periodically with the guidance of an advisory committee~~)). The state energy strategy may be reviewed periodically. For each review, ((~~an advisory committee~~)) a task force shall be established with a membership resembling as closely as possible ((~~the original energy strategy advisory committee specified under section 1, chapter 201, Laws of 1991~~)) the joint task force on long-term energy supply. ((~~Upon completion of a public hearing regarding the advisory committee's advice and recommendations for revisions to the energy strategy~~)) Except as provided in section 2 of this act, a written report shall be conveyed by the ((~~department~~)) task force to the governor and the appropriate legislative committees by July 1st of the year following the year in which the task force is established. Any ((~~advisory committee~~)) task force established under this section shall be dissolved within three months after their written report is conveyed.