[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to the management of state energy supply and demand; amending RCW 74.38.070, 19.29A.040, 80.50.020, 80.50.060, 80.50.030, 80.50.040, 80.50.090, 80.50.100, 44.39.010, 44.39.015, 80.52.030, 39.35.010, 39.35.030, 39.35.050, 39.35A.020, 39.35C.010, 39.35C.020, 43.19.668, 43.19.669, 43.19.670, 43.19.675, and 43.19.680; adding new sections to chapter 82.16 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 19.29A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.31 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 80.50 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.12 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.32 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 80.52 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.34 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 39.35A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 39.35C RCW; creating new sections; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that:

(a) A sufficient, reliable, and affordable supply of energy is critically important to the health and welfare of the citizens of the state and to the prosperity of the state and region;

(b) The state is experiencing dramatic increases in the costs of electricity and natural gas as a result of many factors out of the state's direct control, and these unprecedented price increases have a disproportionate impact on the low-income citizens of the state;

(c) It remains in the state's best interests to encourage private investment in renewable energy resources and to reduce the reliance on a limited number of the energy resources used in this state;

(d) Energy generation and distribution systems and technologies have changed greatly since the original enactment of the state's energy facility siting laws thirty years ago. Experience during this time has demonstrated that a state council with the primary responsibility for energy facility siting approval is warranted, but that its procedures and authorities can be improved to enhance energy supplies;

(e) Existing legislative oversight of the state's response to energy shortages is in need of updating since the original creation of the joint legislative committee on energy and utilities after the last energy crisis; and

(f) The current energy situation requires that the state undertake economic and policy decisions to effectuate both short-term and long-term solutions that will assist individual consumers as well as commercial and industrial customers of electricity while protecting the environment.

(2) The legislature intends this act to:

(a) Help mitigate the adverse consequences of recent utility rate increases on Washington's low-income citizens by creating incentives for gas and electric utilities to adopt billing discounts and to make contributions to low-income energy assistance programs;

(b) Provide electricity consumers the opportunity to exercise their market power by choosing to purchase power from alternative energy resources including renewable resources, and to reward businesses and utilities that become "EnergySmart";

(c) Modify the statutory procedures and authorities of the energy facility siting evaluation council to encourage generators to operate their facilities to their fullest capacity;

(d) Modify the name and statutory procedures of the joint legislative committee tasked with providing oversight in times of energy shortages;

(e) Offer limited tax incentives to direct service industrial customers to develop alternative sources of electricity and relieve the burden their demand places on the Bonneville power administration; and

(f) Remove unnecessary barriers to the development of new, cost-based electricity generation resources by public agencies.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 82.16 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section.

(a) "Base credit" means the maximum amount of credit against the tax imposed by this chapter that each light and power business or gas distribution business may take each fiscal year as calculated by the department. The base credit is equal to the proportionate share that the total grants received by each light and power business or gas distribution business in the prior fiscal year bears to the total grants received by all light and power businesses and gas distribution businesses in the prior fiscal year multiplied by one million five hundred thousand dollars.

(b) "Billing discount" means a reduction in the amount charged for providing service to qualifying persons in Washington made by a light and power business or a gas distribution business. Billing discount does not include grants received by the light and power business or a gas distribution business.

(c) "Grant" means funds provided to a light and power business or gas distribution business by the department of community, trade, and economic development or by a qualifying organization.

(d) "Low-income home energy assistance program" means energy assistance programs for low-income households as defined on December 31, 2000, in the low-income home energy assistance act of 1981 as amended August 1, 1999, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 8623 et seq.

(e) "Qualifying person" means a Washington resident who applies for assistance and qualifies for a grant regardless of whether that person receives a grant.

(f) "Qualifying contribution" means money given by a light and power business or a gas distribution business to a qualifying organization, exclusive of money received in the prior fiscal year from its customers for the purpose of assisting other customers.

(g) "Qualifying organization" means an entity that has a contractual agreement with the department of community, trade, and economic development to administer in a specified service area low-income home energy assistance funds received from the federal government and such other funds that may be received by the entity.

(2) Subject to the limitations in this section, a light and power business or a gas distribution business may take a credit each fiscal year against the tax imposed under this chapter for qualifying contributions that are equal to or greater than one hundred twenty-five percent of the qualifying contributions given in fiscal year 2000 and for billing discounts that are equal to or greater than one hundred twenty-five percent of the billing discounts given in fiscal year 2000. If no billing discounts were given in fiscal year 2000 a credit shall be allowed on any billing discounts given in any subsequent fiscal year. Thereafter, credit shall be allowed on billing discounts given that are equal to or greater than one hundred twenty-five percent of the billing discounts given in the first fiscal year such billing discounts are given. The amount of credit shall be fifty percent of the total billing discounts and qualifying contributions, limited to the base credit for the same fiscal year.

(3) The total amount of credit, statewide, that may be taken in any fiscal year shall not exceed one million five hundred thousand dollars. By May 1st of each year starting in 2002, the department of community, trade, and economic development shall notify the department of revenue in writing of the grants received in the current fiscal year by each light and power business and gas distribution business.

(4)(a) Not later than June 1st of each year beginning in 2002, the department shall publish the base credit for each light and power business and gas distribution business for the next fiscal year.

(b) Not later than July 1st of each year beginning in 2002, application for credit must by made to the department including but not limited to the following information: Billing discounts given by the applicant in fiscal year 2000; qualifying contributions given by the applicant in the prior fiscal year; the amount of money received in the prior fiscal year from customers for the purpose of assisting other customers; the base credit for the next fiscal year for the applicant; the qualifying contributions anticipated to be given in the next fiscal year; and billing discounts anticipated to be given in the next fiscal year. No credit under this section will be allowed to a light and power business or gas distribution business that does not file the application by July 1st.

(c) Not later than August 1st of each year beginning in 2002, the department shall notify each applicant of the amount of credit that may be taken in that fiscal year.

(d) The balance of base credits not used by other light and power businesses and gas distribution businesses shall be ratably distributed to applicants under the formula in subsection (1)(a) of this section. The total amount of credit that may be taken by an applicant is the base credit plus any ratable portion of unused base credit.

(5) The credit taken under this section is limited to the amount of tax imposed under this chapter for the fiscal year. The credit must be claimed in the fiscal year in which the billing reduction is made. Any unused credit expires. Refunds shall not be given in place of credits.

(6) No credit may be taken for billing discounts made before July 1, 2001. Within two weeks of the effective date of this section, the department of community, trade, and economic development shall notify the department of revenue in writing of the grants received in fiscal year 2001 by each light and power business and gas distribution business. Within four weeks of the effective date of this section, the department of revenue shall publish the base credit for each light and power business and gas distribution business for fiscal year 2002. Within eight weeks of the effective date of this section, application to the department must be made showing the information required in subsection (4)(b) of this section. Within twelve weeks of the effective date of this section, the department shall notify each applicant of the amount of credit that may be taken in fiscal year 2002.

Sec. 3. RCW 74.38.070 and 1998 c 300 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any county, city, town, municipal corporation, or quasi municipal corporation providing utility services may provide such services at reduced rates for low income senior citizens or other low-income citizens: PROVIDED, That, for the purposes of this section, "low-income senior citizen" or "other low-income citizen" shall be defined by appropriate ordinance or resolution adopted by the governing body of the county, city, town, municipal corporation, or quasi municipal corporation providing the utility services except as provided in subsection (2) of this section. Any reduction in rates granted in whatever manner to low-income senior citizens or other low-income citizens in one part of a service area shall be uniformly extended to low-income senior citizens or other low-income citizens in all other parts of the service area.

(2) For purposes of implementing this section by any public utility district, (a) "low-income senior citizen" means a person who is sixty-two years of age or older and whose total income, including that of his or her spouse or cotenant, does not exceed the amount specified in RCW 84.36.381(5)(b), ((~~as now or hereafter amended~~)) and (b) "other low-income citizen" means a person within the defined group established by appropriate ordinance or resolution as provided in subsection (1) of this section whose household income does not exceed the amount specified in RCW 70.164.020(4).

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 19.29A RCW to read as follows:

(1) Beginning January 1, 2002, each electric utility must provide to its retail electricity customers a voluntary option to purchase qualified renewable energy resources in accordance with this section.

(2) Each electric utility must include on its retail electric customer's regular billing statements a voluntary option to purchase qualified renewable energy resources. The option may allow customers to purchase qualified renewable energy resources at fixed or variable rates and for fixed or variable periods of time. A utility may provide qualified renewable energy resource options through either: (a) Resources it owns or contracts for; or (b) the purchase of credits issued by a clearinghouse or other system by which the utility may secure, for trade or other consideration, verifiable evidence that a second party has developed a qualified renewable energy resource and that the second party agrees to transfer such evidence exclusively to the credit of the utility.

(3) For the purposes of this section, a "qualified renewable energy resource" means the electricity produced from generation facilities that are fueled by: (a) Wind; (b) solar energy; (c) geothermal energy; (d) landfill gas; (e) wave or tidal action; (f) gas produced during the treatment of wastewater; (g) environmentally qualified hydropower, as defined in RCW 82.08.02567; (h) fuel cells, as defined in RCW 82.08.02567; or (i) biomass energy based on solid organic fuels from wood, forest, or field residues, or dedicated energy crops that do not include wood pieces that have been treated with chemical preservatives such as creosote, pentachlorophenol, or copper‑chrome‑arsenic.

(4) The rates, terms, conditions, and customer notification of each utility's option or options offered in accordance with this section must be approved by the governing body of the consumer-owned utility or by the commission for investor-owned utilities.

(5) Each consumer-owned utility must report to the department and each investor-owned utility must report annually to the commission beginning October 1, 2002, until October 1, 2012, describing the option or options it is offering its customers under the requirements of this section, the rate of customer participation, the amount of qualified renewable energy resources purchased by customers, and the amount of utility investments in qualified renewable energy resources. The department and the commission together shall report annually to the legislature, beginning December 1, 2002, until December 1, 2012, with the results of the utility reports.

Sec. 5. RCW 19.29A.040 and 1998 c 300 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

The provisions of RCW 19.29A.020, 19.29A.030, ((~~and~~)) section 5, chapter 300, Laws of 1998, and section 4 of this act do not apply to a small utility. However, nothing in this section prohibits the governing body of a small utility from determining the utility should comply with any or all of the provisions of RCW 19.29A.020, 19.29A.030, ((~~and~~)) section 5, chapter 300, Laws of 1998, and section 4 of this act, which governing bodies are encouraged to do.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 43.31 RCW to read as follows:

(1) By December 15, 2001, the department of community, trade, and economic development must establish the EnergySmart Washington program. The purpose of the program is to give annual public recognition and awards to individuals, businesses, utilities, government agencies, and other institutions that provide leading examples of efficient use of energy or that have made notable contributions to the development, promotion, and deployment of energy efficiency. The program will provide similar recognition for entities that demonstrate similar achievements with regard to qualified renewable energy resources.

(2) In addition, the program will provide for annual awards of certificates of achievement to utilities that develop a portfolio of diverse energy resources, including but not limited to qualified renewable energy resources. The purpose of awarding certificates of achievement is to create an incentive for utilities to act in accordance with state policy favoring a diversity of energy resources and to recognize such achievement as a matter of environmental distinction. A utility that receives a certificate of achievement may publicize the certificate in its advertising, disclosures under chapter 19.29A RCW, and other means of publicity and advertising.

(3) For the purposes of this section, a "qualified renewable energy resource" has the same meaning as that term is defined in section 4 of this act.

Sec. 7. RCW 80.50.020 and 1995 c 69 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Applicant" means any person who makes application for a site certification pursuant to the provisions of this chapter((;)).

(2) "Application" means any request for approval of a particular site or sites filed in accordance with the procedures established pursuant to this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires((;)).

(3) "Person" means an individual, partnership, joint venture, private or public corporation, association, firm, public service company, political subdivision, municipal corporation, government agency, public utility district, or any other entity, public or private, however organized((;)).

(4) "Site" means any proposed or approved location of an energy facility((;)).

(5) "Certification" means a binding agreement between an applicant and the state which shall embody compliance to the siting guidelines, in effect as of the date of certification, which have been adopted pursuant to RCW 80.50.040 as now or hereafter amended as conditions to be met prior to or concurrent with the construction or operation of any energy facility((;)).

(6) "Associated facilities" means storage, transmission, handling, or other related and supporting facilities connecting an energy plant with the existing energy supply, processing, or distribution system, including, but not limited to, communications, controls, mobilizing or maintenance equipment, instrumentation, and other types of ancillary transmission equipment, off-line storage or venting required for efficient operation or safety of the transmission system and overhead, and surface or subsurface lines of physical access for the inspection, maintenance, and safe operations of the transmission facility and new transmission lines constructed to operate at nominal voltages in excess of 200,000 volts to connect a thermal power plant to the northwest power grid: PROVIDED, That common carrier railroads or motor vehicles shall not be included((;)).

(7) "Transmission facility" means any of the following together with their associated facilities:

(a) Crude or refined petroleum or liquid petroleum product transmission pipeline of the following dimensions: A pipeline larger than six inches minimum inside diameter between valves for the transmission of these products with a total length of at least fifteen miles;

(b) Natural gas, synthetic fuel gas, or liquified petroleum gas transmission pipeline of the following dimensions: A pipeline larger than fourteen inches minimum inside diameter between valves, for the transmission of these products, with a total length of at least fifteen miles for the purpose of delivering gas to a distribution facility, except an interstate natural gas pipeline regulated by the United States federal power commission((;)).

(8) "Independent consultants" means those persons who have no financial interest in the applicant's proposals and who are retained by the council to evaluate the applicant's proposals, supporting studies, or to conduct additional studies((;)).

(9) "Thermal power plant" means, for the purpose of certification, any electrical generating facility using any fuel, including nuclear materials, for distribution of electricity by electric utilities((;)).

(10) "Energy facility" means an energy plant or transmission facilities: PROVIDED, That the following are excluded from the provisions of this chapter:

(a) Facilities for the extraction, conversion, transmission or storage of water, other than water specifically consumed or discharged by energy production or conversion for energy purposes; and

(b) Facilities operated by and for the armed services for military purposes or by other federal authority for the national defense((;)).

(11) "Council" means the energy facility site evaluation council created by RCW 80.50.030((;)).

(12) "Counsel for the environment" means an assistant attorney general or a special assistant attorney general who shall represent the public in accordance with RCW 80.50.080((;)).

(13) "Construction" means on-site improvements, excluding exploratory work, which cost in excess of two hundred fifty thousand dollars((;)).

(14) "Energy plant" means the following facilities together with their associated facilities:

(a) Any stationary thermal power plant with generating capacity of ((~~two~~)) three hundred fifty thousand kilowatts or more, measured using maximum continuous electric generating capacity, less minimum auxiliary load, at average ambient temperature and pressure, and floating thermal power plants of ((~~fifty~~)) fifty-five thousand kilowatts or more, including associated facilities;

(b) Facilities which will have the capacity to receive liquified natural gas in the equivalent of more than one hundred million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day, which has been transported over marine waters;

(c) Facilities which will have the capacity to receive more than an average of fifty thousand barrels per day of crude or refined petroleum or liquified petroleum gas which has been or will be transported over marine waters, except that the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to storage facilities unless occasioned by such new facility construction;

(d) Any underground reservoir for receipt and storage of natural gas as defined in RCW 80.40.010 capable of delivering an average of more than one hundred million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day; and

(e) Facilities capable of processing more than twenty-five thousand barrels per day of petroleum into refined products((;)).

(15) "Land use plan" means a comprehensive plan or land use element thereof adopted by a unit of local government pursuant to chapters 35.63, 35A.63, or 36.70 RCW((;)).

(16) "Zoning ordinance" means an ordinance of a unit of local government regulating the use of land and adopted pursuant to chapters 35.63, 35A.63, or 36.70 RCW or Article XI of the state Constitution.

(17) "Renewable resource" means: (a) Wind; (b) solar energy; (c) geothermal energy; (d) landfill gas; or (e) biomass energy based on solid organic fuels from wood, forest, or field residues, or dedicated energy crops that do not include wood pieces that have been treated with chemical preservatives such as creosote, pentachlorophenol, or copper-chrome-arsenic.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. A new section is added to chapter 80.50 RCW to read as follows:

The council shall actively seek to implement the intent of this chapter as set forth in RCW 80.50.010 by diligently and expediently facilitating the siting of energy facilities to meet present and emergent energy supply needs.

Sec. 9. RCW 80.50.060 and 1977 ex.s. c 371 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the construction of energy facilities which includes the new construction of energy facilities and the reconstruction or enlargement of existing energy facilities where the net increase in physical capacity or dimensions resulting from such reconstruction or enlargement meets or exceeds those capacities or dimensions set forth in RCW 80.50.020 (7) and ((~~(17)~~)) (14), as now or hereafter amended. No construction of such energy facilities may be undertaken, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, after July 15, 1977, without first obtaining certification in the manner provided in this chapter.

(2) The provisions of this chapter apply to the construction, reconstruction, or enlargement of a new or existing energy facility that exclusively uses renewable resources and chooses to use the process established in this chapter, regardless of the generating capacity of the project.

(3) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to normal maintenance and repairs which do not increase the capacity or dimensions beyond those set forth in RCW 80.50.020 (7) and ((~~(17)~~)) (14), as now or hereafter amended.

((~~(3)~~)) (4) Applications for certification of energy facilities made prior to July 15, 1977, shall continue to be governed by the applicable provisions of law in effect on the day immediately preceding July 15, 1977, with the exceptions of RCW 80.50.190 and 80.50.071 which shall apply to such prior applications and to site certifications prospectively from July 15, 1977.

((~~(4)~~)) (5) Applications for certification shall be upon forms prescribed by the council and shall be supported by such information and technical studies as the council may require.

Sec. 10. RCW 80.50.030 and 1996 c 186 s 108 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) There is created and established the energy facility site evaluation council.

(2)(a) The ((~~chairman~~)) chair of the council shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, shall have a vote on matters before the council, shall serve for a term coextensive with the term of the governor, and is removable for cause. The ((~~chairman~~)) chair may designate a member of the council to serve as acting ((~~chairman~~)) chair in the event of the ((~~chairman's~~)) chair's absence. The ((~~chairman~~)) chair is a "state employee" for the purposes of chapter 42.52 RCW and shall receive a salary as determined under RCW 43.03.040. As applicable, when attending meetings of the council, members may receive reimbursement for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060, and are eligible for compensation under RCW 43.03.250.

(b) The ((~~chairman~~)) chair or a designee shall execute all official documents, contracts, and other materials on behalf of the council. The Washington state department of community, trade, and economic development shall provide all administrative and staff support for the council. The director of the department of community, trade, and economic development has supervisory authority over the staff of the council and shall employ such personnel as are necessary to implement this chapter. Not more than three such employees may be exempt from chapter 41.06 RCW.

(3) The council shall consist of the directors, administrators, or their designees, of the following departments, agencies, commissions, and committees or their statutory successors:

(a) Department of ecology;

(b) Department of fish and wildlife;

~~(d) Military department;~~

~~(e)~~)) Department of community, trade, and economic development;

((~~(f)~~)) (d) Utilities and transportation commission; and

((~~(g)~~)) (e) Department of natural resources((;

~~(h) Department of agriculture;~~

~~(i) Department of transportation~~)).

(4) The directors, administrators, or their designees, of the following departments or their statutory successors, may participate as councilmembers at their own discretion provided they elect to participate no later than sixty days after the application is filed:

(a) Department of agriculture;

(b) Department of transportation;

(d) Department of health.

(5) The appropriate county legislative authority of every county wherein an application for a proposed site is filed shall appoint a member or designee as a voting member to the council. The member or designee so appointed shall sit with the council only at such times as the council considers the proposed site for the county which he or she represents, and such member or designee shall serve until there has been a final acceptance or rejection of the proposed site.

((~~(5)~~)) (6) The city legislative authority of every city within whose corporate limits an energy plant is proposed to be located shall appoint a member or designee as a voting member to the council. The member or designee so appointed shall sit with the council only at such times as the council considers the proposed site for the city which he or she represents, and such member or designee shall serve until there has been a final acceptance or rejection of the proposed site.

((~~(6)~~)) (7) For any port district wherein an application for a proposed port facility is filed subject to this chapter, the port district shall appoint a member or designee as a nonvoting member to the council. The member or designee so appointed shall sit with the council only at such times as the council considers the proposed site for the port district which he or she represents, and such member or designee shall serve until there has been a final acceptance or rejection of the proposed site. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply if the port district is the applicant, either singly or in partnership or association with any other person.

Sec. 11. RCW 80.50.040 and 1990 c 12 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

The council shall have the following powers:

(1) To adopt, promulgate, amend, or rescind suitable rules and regulations, pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW, to carry out the provisions of this chapter, and the policies and practices of the council in connection therewith;

(2) To develop and apply environmental and ecological guidelines in relation to the type, design, location, construction, and operational conditions of certification of energy facilities subject to this chapter;

(3) To establish rules of practice for the conduct of public hearings pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, as found in chapter 34.05 RCW;

(4) To prescribe the form, content, and necessary supporting documentation for site certification;

(5) To receive applications for energy facility locations and to investigate the sufficiency thereof;

(6) To make and contract, when applicable, for independent studies of sites proposed by the applicant;

(7) To conduct hearings on the proposed location of the energy facilities;

(8) To prepare written reports to the governor which shall include: (a) A statement indicating whether the application is in compliance with the council's guidelines, (b) criteria specific to the site and transmission line routing, (c) a council recommendation as to the disposition of the application, and (d) a draft certification agreement when the council recommends approval of the application;

(9) To prescribe the means for monitoring of the effects arising from the construction and the operation of energy facilities to assure continued compliance with terms of certification and/or permits issued by the council pursuant to chapter 90.48 RCW or subsection (12) of this section: PROVIDED, That any on-site inspection required by the council shall be performed by other state agencies pursuant to interagency agreement: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the council ((~~shall~~)) may retain authority for determining compliance relative to monitoring;

(10) To integrate its site evaluation activity with activities of federal agencies having jurisdiction in such matters to avoid unnecessary duplication;

(11) To present state concerns and interests to other states, regional organizations, and the federal government on the location, construction, and operation of any energy facility which may affect the environment, health, or safety of the citizens of the state of Washington;

(12) To issue permits in compliance with applicable provisions of the federally approved state implementation plan adopted in accordance with the Federal Clean Air Act, as now existing or hereafter amended, for the new construction, reconstruction, or enlargement or operation of energy facilities: PROVIDED, That such permits shall become effective only if the governor approves an application for certification and executes a certification agreement pursuant to this chapter: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That all such permits be conditioned upon compliance with all provisions of the federally approved state implementation plan which apply to energy facilities covered within the provisions of this chapter; and

(13) To serve as an interagency coordinating body for energy-related issues.

Sec. 12. RCW 80.50.090 and 1989 c 175 s 173 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The council shall conduct ((a)) an informational public hearing in the county of the proposed site ((~~within sixty days of~~)) as soon as practicable after receipt of an application for site certification: PROVIDED, That the place of such public hearing shall be as close as practical to the proposed site.

(2) The council ((~~must~~)) shall conduct a public hearing to determine ((~~at the initial public hearing~~)) whether or not the proposed site is consistent and in compliance with county or regional land use plans or zoning ordinances. If it is determined that the proposed site does conform with existing land use plans or zoning ordinances in effect as of the date of the application, the county or regional planning authority shall not thereafter change such land use plans or zoning ordinances so as to affect the proposed site.

(3) Prior to the issuance of a council recommendation to the governor under RCW 80.50.100 a public hearing, conducted as an adjudicative proceeding under chapter 34.05 RCW, the Administrative Procedure Act, shall be held. At such public hearing any person shall be entitled to be heard in support of or in opposition to the application for certification.

(4) Additional public hearings shall be held as deemed appropriate by the council in the exercise of its functions under this chapter.

Sec. 13. RCW 80.50.100 and 1989 c 175 s 174 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The council shall report to the governor its recommendations as to the approval or rejection of an application for certification within twelve months of receipt by the council of such an application, or such later time as is mutually agreed by the council and the applicant. Pursuant to RCW 34.05.476, the council's report to the governor shall be based on the administrative record developed during the public hearing held under RCW 80.50.090(3), along with the environmental impact statement prepared under RCW 43.21C.030, and relevant information presented at other public hearings held by the council under this chapter. If the council recommends approval of an application for certification, it shall also submit a draft certification agreement with the report. The council shall include conditions in the draft certification agreement to implement the provisions of this chapter, including, but not limited to, conditions to protect state or local governmental or community interests affected by the construction or operation of the energy facility, and conditions designed to recognize the purpose of laws or ordinances, or rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, that are preempted or superseded pursuant to RCW 80.50.110 as now or hereafter amended.

(2) Within sixty days of receipt of the council's report the governor shall take one of the following actions:

(a) Approve the application and execute the draft certification agreement; or

(b) Reject the application; or

The council shall reconsider such aspects of the draft certification agreement by reviewing the existing record of the application or, as necessary, by reopening the adjudicative proceeding for the purposes of receiving additional evidence. Such reconsideration shall be conducted expeditiously. The council shall resubmit the draft certification to the governor incorporating any amendments deemed necessary upon reconsideration. Within sixty days of receipt of such draft certification agreement, the governor shall either approve the application and execute the certification agreement or reject the application. The certification agreement shall be binding upon execution by the governor and the applicant.

(3) The rejection of an application for certification by the governor shall be final as to that application but shall not preclude submission of a subsequent application for the same site on the basis of changed conditions or new information.

Sec. 14. RCW 44.39.010 and 1977 ex.s. c 328 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:

There is hereby created the joint committee on energy ((~~and utilities~~)) shortages of the legislature of the state of Washington.

Sec. 15. RCW 44.39.015 and 1977 ex.s. c 328 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:

The committee shall consist of four senators and four representatives who shall be selected biennially as follows:

(1) The president of the senate shall ((~~nominate~~)) appoint four members from the ((~~energy and utilities~~)) senate to serve on the committee, including the ((~~chairman,~~)) chair of the committee responsible for energy issues. Two members ((~~being~~)) from each major political party((~~, to serve on the committee, and shall submit the list of nominees to the senate for confirmation. Upon confirmation, the senators shall be deemed installed as members~~)) must be appointed.

(2) The speaker or co-speakers of the house of representatives shall nominate four members from the ((~~energy and utilities~~)) house of representatives to serve on the committee, including the ((~~chairman,~~)) chair or co-chairs of the committee responsible for energy issues. Two members ((~~being~~)) from each major political party((, to serve on the committee, and shall submit the list of nominees to the house of representatives for confirmation. Upon confirmation, the representatives shall be deemed installed as members. The chairmen of the senate and house energy and utilities committees shall alternately serve as chairman for one year terms. The chairman of the house committee shall serve as the initial chairman. The chairman may designate another committee member to serve as chairman in his or her absence)) must be appointed.

(3) The committee shall elect a chair and a vice-chair. The chair shall be a member of the house of representatives in even-numbered years and a member of the senate in odd-numbered years. In the case of a tie in the membership of the house of representatives in an even-numbered year, the committee shall elect co-chairs from the house of representatives in that year.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 16. A new section is added to chapter 82.04 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section.

(a) "Direct service industrial customer" means a person who is an industrial customer that contracts for the purchase of power from the Bonneville power administration for direct consumption as of the effective date of this section. "Direct service industrial customer" includes a person who is a subsidiary that is more than fifty percent owned by a direct service industrial customer and who receives power from the Bonneville power administration pursuant to the parent's contract for power.

(b) "Facility" means a gas turbine electrical generation facility that does not exist on the effective date of this section and is owned by a direct service industrial customer for the purpose of producing electricity to be consumed by the direct service industrial customer.

(c) "Average annual employment" means the total employment in this state for a calendar year at the direct service industrial customer's location where electricity from the facility will be consumed.

(2) Effective July 1, 2004, a credit is allowed against the tax due under this chapter to a direct service industrial customer who purchases natural or manufactured gas from a gas distribution business subject to the public utility tax under chapter 82.16 RCW. The credit is equal to the value of natural or manufactured gas purchased from a gas distribution business and used to generate electricity at the facility multiplied by the rate in effect for the public utility tax on gas distribution businesses under RCW 82.16.020. This credit may be used each reporting period for sixty months following the first month natural or manufactured gas was purchased from a gas distribution business by a direct service industrial customer who constructs a facility.

(3) This credit is available only to a person who meets the requirements for diversification of resources, as required in a legislative act enacted in the 2001 legislative session. If such a requirement is not enacted, this subsection (3) has no effect.

(4) Application for credit shall be made by the direct service industrial consumer before the first purchase of natural or manufactured gas. The application shall be in a form and manner prescribed by the department and shall include but is not limited to information regarding the location of the facility, the projected date of first purchase of natural or manufactured gas to generate electricity at the facility, the date construction is projected to begin or did begin, the applicant's average annual employment in the state for the six calendar years immediately preceding the year in which the application is made, and affirm the applicant's status as a direct service industrial customer. The department shall rule on the application within thirty days of receipt.

(5) Credit under this section is limited to the amount of tax imposed under this chapter. Refunds shall not be given in place of credits and credits may not be carried over to subsequent calendar years.

(6) All or part of the credit shall be disallowed and must be paid if the average of the direct service industrial customer's average annual employment for the five calendar years subsequent to the calendar year containing the first month of purchase of natural or manufactured gas to generate electricity at a facility is less than the six-year average annual employment stated on the application for credit under this section. The direct service industrial customer will certify to the department by June 1st of the sixth calendar year following the calendar year in which the month of first purchase of gas occurs the average annual employment for each of the five prior calendar years. All or part of the credit that shall be disallowed and must be paid is commensurate with the decrease in the five-year average of average annual employment as follows:

Decrease in Average Annual

Employment Over

Five-Year Period % of Credit to be Paid

Less than 10% 10%

10% or more but less than 25% 25%

25% or more but less than 50% 50%

50% or more but less than 75% 75%

75% or more 100%

(7)(a) The direct service industrial customer shall begin paying the credit that is disallowed and is to be paid in the sixth calendar year following the calendar year in which the month following the month of first purchase of natural or manufactured gas to generate electricity at the facility occurs. The first payment will be due on or before December 31st with subsequent annual payments due on or before December 31st of the following four years according to the following schedule:

Payment Year % of Credit to be Paid

1 10%

2 15%

3 20%

4 25%

5 30%

(b) The department may authorize an accelerated payment schedule upon request of the taxpayer.

(c) Interest shall not be charged on the credit that is disallowed for the sixty-month period the credit may be taken, although all other penalties and interest applicable to delinquent excise taxes may be assessed and imposed. The debt for credit that is disallowed and must be paid will not be extinguished by insolvency or other failure of the direct service industrial customer. Transfer of ownership of the facility does not affect eligibility for this credit. However, the credit is available to the successor only if the eligibility conditions of this section are met.

(8) The employment security department shall make, and certify to the department of revenue, all determinations of employment under this section as requested by the department.

(9) A person claiming this credit shall supply to the department quarterly reports containing information necessary to document the total volume of natural or manufactured gas purchased in the quarter, the value of that total volume, and the percentage of the total volume used to generate electricity at the facility.

(10) A direct service industrial customer claiming credit under this section may not claim a deferral under section 17 of this act nor be the beneficiary of a credit allowed under section 18 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 17. A new section is added to chapter 82.12 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section.

(c) "Average annual employment" means the total employment in this state for a calendar year at the direct service industrial customer's location where electricity from the facility will be consumed.

(2) Effective July 1, 2004, the tax levied in RCW 82.12.022 on the first sixty months' use of natural or manufactured gas by a direct service industrial customer that owns a facility shall be deferred. This deferral is limited to the tax on natural or manufactured gas used or consumed to generate electricity at the facility.

(3) This deferral is available only to a person who meets the requirements for diversification of resources, as required in a legislative act enacted in the 2001 legislative session. If such a requirement is not enacted, this subsection (3) has no effect.

(4) Application for deferral shall be made by the direct service industrial customer before the first use of natural or manufactured gas. The application shall be in a form and manner prescribed by the department and shall include but is not limited to information regarding the location of the facility, the projected date of first use of natural or manufactured gas to generate electricity at the facility, the date construction is projected to begin or did begin, the applicant's average annual employment in the state for the six calendar years immediately preceding the year in which the application is made, and shall affirm the applicant's status as a direct service industrial customer. The department shall rule on the application within thirty days of receipt.

(5)(a) The direct service industrial customer shall begin paying the deferred tax in the sixth calendar year following the calendar year in which the month of first use of natural or manufactured gas to generate electricity at the facility occurs. The first payment will be due on or before December 31st with subsequent annual payments due on or before December 31st of the following four years according to the following schedule:

Payment Year % of Deferred Tax to be Paid

1 10%

2 15%

3 20%

4 25%

5 30%

(b) The department may authorize an accelerated payment schedule upon request of the taxpayer.

(c) Interest shall not be charged on the tax deferred under this section for the period of deferral, although all other penalties and interest applicable to delinquent excise taxes may be assessed and imposed. The debt for deferred tax will not be extinguished by insolvency or other failure of the direct service industrial customer. Transfer of ownership of the facility does not affect deferral eligibility. However, the deferral is available to the successor only if the eligibility conditions of this section are met.

(6)(a) If the average of the direct service industrial customer's average annual employment for the five calendar years subsequent to the calendar year containing the first month of use of natural or manufactured gas to generate electricity at a facility is equal to or exceeds the six-year average annual employment stated on the application for deferral under this section, the tax deferred need not be paid. The direct service industrial customer shall certify to the department by June 1st of the sixth calendar year following the calendar year in which the month of first use of gas occurs the average annual employment for each of the five prior calendar years.

(b) If the five-year average calculated in (a) of this subsection is less than the average annual employment stated on the application for deferral under this section, the tax deferred under this section shall be paid in the amount as follows:

Decrease in Average Annual

Employment Over % of Deferred

Five-Year Period Tax to be Paid

Less than 10% 10%

10% or more but less than 25% 25%

25% or more but less than 50% 50%

50% or more but less than 75% 75%

75% or more 100%

(c) Tax paid under this subsection shall be paid according to the schedule in subsection (5)(a) of this section and under the terms and conditions of subsection (5)(b) and (c) of this section.

(7) The employment security department shall make, and certify to the department of revenue, all determinations of employment under this section as requested by the department.

(8) A person claiming this deferral shall supply to the department quarterly reports containing information necessary to document the total volume of natural or manufactured gas purchased in the quarter, the value of that total volume, and the percentage of the total volume used to generate electricity at the facility.

(9) A direct service industrial customer claiming a deferral under this section may not claim a credit under section 16 of this act nor be the beneficiary of a credit allowed under section 18 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 18. A new section is added to chapter 82.16 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section.

(b) "Facility" means a gas turbine electrical generation facility that does not exist on the effective date of this section.

(c) "Average annual employment" means the total employment in this state for a calendar year at the direct service industrial customer's location where electricity from the facility will be consumed.

(2) Effective July 1, 2004, a credit is allowed against the tax due under this chapter on sales of electricity made from a facility to a direct service industrial customer if the contract for sale of electricity to a direct service industrial customer contains the following terms:

(a) Sales of electricity from the facility to the direct service industrial customer will be made for ten consecutive years or more;

(b) The price charged for the electricity will be reduced by an amount equal to the tax credit; and

(c) Disallowance of all or part of the credit under subsection (6) of this section is a breach of contract and the damages to be paid by the direct service industrial customer to the facility are the amount of tax credit disallowed.

(3) The credit is equal to the gross proceeds from the sale of the electricity to a direct service industrial customer multiplied by the rate in effect at the time of the sale for the public utility tax on light and power businesses under RCW 82.16.020. The credit may be used each reporting period for sixty months following the first month electricity is sold from a facility to a direct service industrial customer. Credit under this section is limited to the amount of tax imposed under this chapter. Refunds shall not be given in place of credits and credits may not be carried over to subsequent calendar years.

(4) This credit is available only to a person who meets the requirements for diversification of resources, as required in a legislative act enacted in the 2001 legislative session. If such a requirement is not enacted, this subsection (4) has no effect.

(5) Application for credit shall be made before the first sale of electricity from a facility to a direct service industrial customer. The application shall be in a form and manner prescribed by the department and shall include but is not limited to information regarding the location of the facility, identification of the direct service industrial customer who will receive electricity from the facility, the projected date of the first sale of electricity to a direct service industrial customer, the date construction is projected to begin or did begin, and the average annual employment in the state of the direct service industrial customer who will receive electricity from the facility for the six calendar years immediately preceding the year in which the application is made. A copy of the contract for sale of electricity must be attached to the application. The department shall rule on the application within thirty days of receipt.

(6) All or part of the credit shall be disallowed and must be paid if the average of the direct service industrial customer's average annual employment for the five calendar years subsequent to the calendar year containing the first month of sale of electricity from a facility to a direct service industrial customer is less than the six-year average annual employment stated on the application for credit under this section. The direct service industrial customer shall certify to the department and to the facility by June 1st of the sixth calendar year following the calendar year in which the month of first sale occurs the average annual employment for each of the five prior calendar years. All or part of the credit that shall be disallowed and must be paid is commensurate with the decrease in the five-year average of average annual employment as follows:

Decrease in Average Annual

Employment Over

Five-Year Period % of Credit to be Paid

Less than 10% 10%

10% or more but less than 25% 25%

25% or more but less than 50% 50%

50% or more but less than 75% 75%

75% or more 100%

(7)(a) Payments on credit that is disallowed shall begin in the sixth calendar year following the calendar year in which the month following the first month of sale of electricity from a facility to a direct service industrial customer occurs. The first payment will be due on or before December 31st with subsequent annual payments due on or before December 31st of the following four years according to the schedule in this subsection.

Payment Year % of Credit to be Paid

1 10%

2 15%

3 20%

4 25%

5 30%

(b) The department may authorize an accelerated payment schedule upon request of the taxpayer.

(c) Interest shall not be charged on the credit that is disallowed for the sixty-month period the credit may be taken, although all other penalties and interest applicable to delinquent excise taxes may be assessed and imposed. The debt for credit that is disallowed and must be paid will not be extinguished by insolvency or other failure of the taxpayer. Transfer of ownership of the facility does not affect eligibility for this credit. However, the credit is available to the successor only if the eligibility conditions of this section are met.

(8) The employment security department shall make, and certify to the department of revenue, all determinations of employment under this section as requested by the department.

(9) A direct service industrial customer benefiting from a credit allowed under this section may not claim a credit under section 16 of this act nor a deferral under section 17 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 19. A new section is added to chapter 82.32 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The total combined credits and deferrals that may be taken under sections 16 through 18 of this act shall not exceed four million dollars in any fiscal year. Each person is limited to no more than a total of two million dollars in tax deferred and credit allowed in any fiscal year. The department may require reporting of the credits taken and amounts deferred in a manner and form as is necessary to keep a running total of the amounts.

(2) Credits and deferred tax are available on a first come basis. The department shall disallow any credits or deferred tax, or portion thereof, that would cause the total amount of credits taken and deferred taxes claimed to exceed the fiscal year cap or to exceed the per person fiscal year cap. If the fiscal cap is reached or exceeded the department shall notify those persons who have approved applications under sections 16 through 18 of this act that no more credits may be taken or tax deferred during the remainder of the fiscal year. In addition, the department shall provide written notice to any person who has taken any tax credits or claimed any deferred tax in excess of the fiscal year cap. The notice shall indicate the amount of tax due and shall provide that the tax be paid within thirty days from the date of such notice.

(3) No portion of an application for credit or deferral disallowed under this section may be carried back or carried forward nor may taxes ineligible for credit or deferral due to the fiscal cap having been reached or exceeded be carried forward or carried backward.

Sec. 20. RCW 80.52.030 and 1995 c 69 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

The definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Public agency" means a public utility district, joint operating agency, city, county, or any other state governmental agency, entity, or political subdivision.

(2) "Major public energy project" means a nuclear power plant ((or installation capable, or intended to be capable, of generating electricity in an amount greater than two hundred fifty megawatts, measured using maximum continuous electric generating capacity, less minimum auxiliary load, at average ambient temperature and pressure. Where two or more such plants are located within the same geographic site, each plant shall be considered a major public energy project. An addition to an existing facility is not deemed to be a major energy project unless the addition itself is capable, or intended to be capable, of generating electricity in an amount greater than two hundred fifty megawatts)). A project which is under construction on July 1, 1982, shall not be considered a major public energy project unless the official agency budget or estimate for total construction costs for the project as of July 1, 1982, is more than two hundred percent of the first official estimate of total construction costs as specified in the senate energy and utilities committee WPPSS inquiry report, volume one, January 12, 1981, and unless, as of July 1, 1982, the projected remaining cost of construction for that project exceeds two hundred million dollars.

(3) "Cost of construction" means the total cost of planning and building a major public energy project and placing it into operation, including, but not limited to, planning cost, direct construction cost, licensing cost, cost of fuel inventory for the first year's operation, interest, and all other costs incurred prior to the first day of full operation, whether or not incurred prior to July 1, 1982.

(4) "Cost of acquisition" means the total cost of acquiring a major public energy project from another party, including, but not limited to, principal and interest costs.

(5) "Bond" means a revenue bond, a general obligation bond, or any other indebtedness issued by a public agency or its assignee.

(6) "Applicant" means a public agency, or the assignee of a public agency, requesting the secretary of state to conduct an election pursuant to this chapter.

(7) "Cost-effective" means that a project or resource is forecast:

(a) To be reliable and available within the time it is needed; and

(b) To meet or reduce the electric power demand of the intended consumers at an estimated incremental system cost no greater than that of the least-cost similarly reliable and available alternative project or resource, or any combination thereof.

(8) "System cost" means an estimate of all direct costs of a project or resource over its effective life, including, if applicable, the costs of distribution to the consumer, and, among other factors, waste disposal costs, end-of-cycle costs, and fuel costs (including projected increases), and such quantifiable environmental costs and benefits as are directly attributable to the project or resource.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 21. A new section is added to chapter 80.52 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Before approving financing for any large public energy project that is not subject to the voter approval requirements of this chapter, a public agency must submit to its governing board a cost-effectiveness study pertaining to the project under consideration. The study must be prepared by an independent consultant and must be available for public review and comment for at least thirty days after submission to the governing board.

(2) At the end of the thirty-day period, the public agency must conduct a public hearing on the project under consideration and the cost-effectiveness study. Notice of the public hearing must provide at least the following information:

(a) The name, location, and type of large public energy project, expressed in common terms;

(b) The dollar amount and type of bonds being requested;

(c) If the bond issuance is intended to finance the acquisition of all or a portion of the project, the anticipated total cost of the acquisition of the project;

(d) If the bond issuance is intended to finance the planning or construction of all or a portion of the project, the anticipated total cost of construction of the project;

(e) The projected average rate increase for consumers of the electricity to be generated by the project. The rate increase must be that which is necessary to repay the total indebtedness incurred for the project, including estimated interest;

(f) A summary of the final cost-effectiveness study conducted under subsection (1) of this section;

(g) The anticipated functional life of the project; and

(h) The anticipated decommissioning costs of the project.

(3) For the purposes of this section, a "large public energy project that is not subject to the voter approval requirements of this chapter" means a nonnuclear plant or installation capable, or intended to be capable, of generating electricity in an amount greater than two hundred fifty megawatts, measured using maximum continuous electric generating capacity, less minimum auxiliary load, at average ambient temperature and pressure. Where two or more such plants are located within the same geographic site, each plant is considered a large public energy project. An addition to an existing facility is not a large public energy project unless the addition itself is capable, or intended to be capable, of generating electricity in an amount greater than two hundred fifty megawatts.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 22. A new section is added to chapter 82.34 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The following definitions apply throughout this section:

(a) "Qualifying facility" means an air pollution control facility as that term is defined in RCW 82.34.010(1)(a) to be installed or acquired for a thermal electric peaking plant and which is approved pursuant to the Washington clean air act, chapter 70.94 RCW.

(b) "Thermal electric peaking plant" means a natural gas-fired thermal electric generating facility operated by a light and power business and placed into service between January 1, 1978, and December 31, 1984, and that is registered for the calendar year 2000 pursuant to RCW 70.94.151.

(2) The department shall, upon written request of a light and power business to which the approval issued under chapter 70.94 RCW is attached, make a determination as to whether a plant is a thermal electric peaking plant acquiring or installing a qualifying facility eligible under this section. The department shall consult with the department of community, trade, and economic development and the department of ecology in making the determination. If the determination is in the affirmative, the department shall issue the light and power business a sales and use tax exemption certificate in a form and manner as deemed appropriate by the department.

(3) The charges for installation or acquisition of a qualifying facility by the holder of the certificate are exempt from sales tax imposed under chapter 82.08 RCW and use tax imposed under chapter 82.12 RCW. The purchaser must provide the seller with a copy of the sales and use tax exemption certificate. The seller shall retain a copy of the certificate for the seller's files.

(4) The exemption in this section is limited to the installation or acquisition of a qualifying facility and does not apply to servicing, maintenance, operation, or repairs of a thermal electric peaking plant or of an air pollution control facility.

(5) This section expires June 30, 2011.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 23. (1) The legislature hereby finds that:

(a) The economy of the state and the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens are threatened by the current energy supply and price instabilities;

(b) Many energy efficiency programs for public buildings launched during the 1970s and 1980s were not maintained during the subsequent sustained period of low energy costs and abundant supply; and

(c) Conservation programs originally established in the 1970s and 1980s can be improved or updated. New programs drawing on recently developed technologies, including demand-side energy management systems, can materially increase the efficiency of energy use by the public sector.

(2) It is the policy of the state of Washington that:

(a) State government is committed to achieving significant gains in energy efficiency. Conventional conservation programs will be reviewed and updated in light of experience gained since their commencement;

(b) State government must play a leading role in demonstrating updated and new energy efficiency technologies. New programs or measures made possible by technological advances, such as demand-side response measures and energy management systems, shall be treated in the same manner as conventional conservation programs and will be integrated into the state's energy efficiency programs.

Sec. 24. RCW 39.35.010 and 1982 c 159 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

The legislature hereby finds:

(1) That major publicly owned or leased facilities have a significant impact on our state's consumption of energy;

(2) That energy conservation practices including energy management systems and renewable energy systems adopted for the design, construction, and utilization of such facilities will have a beneficial effect on our overall supply of energy;

(3) That the cost of the energy consumed by such facilities over the life of the facilities shall be considered in addition to the initial cost of constructing such facilities;

(4) That the cost of energy is significant and major facility designs shall be based on the total life-cycle cost, including the initial construction cost, and the cost, over the economic life of a major facility, of the energy consumed, and of the operation and maintenance of a major facility as they affect energy consumption; and

(5) That the use of energy systems in these facilities which utilize renewable resources such as solar energy, wood or wood waste, or other nonconventional fuels ((~~should~~)), and which incorporate energy management systems, shall be considered in the design of all publicly owned or leased facilities.

Sec. 25. RCW 39.35.030 and 1996 c 186 s 402 are each amended to read as follows:

For the purposes of this chapter the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(1) "Public agency" means every state office, officer, board, commission, committee, bureau, department, and all political subdivisions of the state.

(2) "Department" means the state department of general administration.

(3) "Major facility" means any publicly owned or leased building having twenty-five thousand square feet or more of usable floor space.

(4) "Initial cost" means the moneys required for the capital construction or renovation of a major facility.

(5) "Renovation" means additions, alterations, or repairs within any twelve-month period which exceed fifty percent of the value of a major facility and which will affect any energy system.

(6) "Economic life" means the projected or anticipated useful life of a major facility as expressed by a term of years.

(7) "Energy management system" means a program, energy efficiency equipment, technology, device, or other measure including, but not limited to, a management, educational, or promotional program, smart appliance, meter reading system that provides real-time pricing capability, computer software or hardware, communications equipment or hardware, thermostat or other control equipment, together with related administrative or operational programs, that allows identification and management of opportunities for improvement in the efficiency of energy use, including but not limited to a measure that allows:

(a) Public agencies to obtain information about the cost of energy before the time of consumption;

(b) Two-way interactive communication between public agencies and their energy suppliers;

(d) For other kinds of demand-side energy management.

(8) "Life-cycle cost" means the initial cost and cost of operation of a major facility over its economic life. This shall be calculated as the initial cost plus the operation, maintenance, and energy costs over its economic life, reflecting anticipated increases in these costs discounted to present value at the current rate for borrowing public funds, as determined by the office of financial management. The energy cost projections used shall be those provided by the department. The department shall update these projections at least every two years.

((~~(8)~~)) (9) "Life-cycle cost analysis" includes, but is not limited to, the following elements:

(a) The coordination and positioning of a major facility on its physical site;

(b) The amount and type of fenestration employed in a major facility;

(d) The variable occupancy and operating conditions of a major facility; and

(e) An energy-consumption analysis of a major facility.

((~~(9)~~)) (10) "Energy systems" means all utilities, including, but not limited to, heating, air-conditioning, ventilating, lighting, and the supplying of domestic hot water.

((~~(10)~~)) (11) "Energy-consumption analysis" means the evaluation of all energy systems and components by demand and type of energy including the internal energy load imposed on a major facility by its occupants, equipment, and components, and the external energy load imposed on a major facility by the climatic conditions of its location. An energy-consumption analysis of the operation of energy systems of a major facility shall include, but not be limited to, the following elements:

(a) The comparison of three or more system alternatives, at least one of which shall include renewable energy systems, and one of which shall comply at a minimum with the sustainable design guidelines of the United States green building council leadership in energy and environmental design silver standard or similar design standard as may be adopted by rule by the department;

(b) The simulation of each system over the entire range of operation of such facility for a year's operating period; and

(c) The evaluation of the energy consumption of component equipment in each system considering the operation of such components at other than full or rated outputs.

The energy-consumption analysis shall be prepared by a professional engineer or licensed architect who may use computers or such other methods as are capable of producing predictable results.

((~~(11)~~)) (12) "Renewable energy systems" means methods of facility design and construction and types of equipment for the utilization of renewable energy sources including, but not limited to, hydroelectric power, active or passive solar space heating or cooling, domestic solar water heating, windmills, waste heat, biomass and/or refuse-derived fuels, photovoltaic devices, and geothermal energy.

((~~(12)~~)) (13) "Cogeneration" means the sequential generation of two or more forms of energy from a common fuel or energy source. Where these forms are electricity and thermal energy, then the operating and efficiency standards established by 18 C.F.R. Sec. 292.205 and the definitions established by 18 C.F.R. 292.202 (c) through (m) as of July 28, 1991, shall apply.

((~~(13)~~)) (14) "Selected buildings" means educational, office, residential care, and correctional facilities that are designed to comply with the design standards analyzed and recommended by the department.

((~~(14)~~)) (15) "Design standards" means the heating, air-conditioning, ventilating, and renewable resource systems identified, analyzed, and recommended by the department as providing an efficient energy system or systems based on the economic life of the selected buildings.

Sec. 26. RCW 39.35.050 and 1996 c 186 s 403 are each amended to read as follows:

The department, in consultation with affected public agencies, shall develop and issue guidelines for administering this chapter. The purpose of the guidelines is to define a procedure and method for performance of life-cycle cost analysis to promote the selection of low-life-cycle cost alternatives. At a minimum, the guidelines must contain provisions that:

(1) Address energy considerations during the planning phase of the project;

(2) Identify energy components and system alternatives including energy management systems, renewable energy systems, and cogeneration applications prior to commencing the energy consumption analysis;

(3) Identify simplified methods to assure the lowest life-cycle cost alternatives for selected buildings with between twenty-five thousand and one hundred thousand square feet of usable floor area;

(4) Establish times during the design process for preparation, review, and approval or disapproval of the life-cycle cost analysis;

(5) Specify the assumptions to be used for escalation and inflation rates, equipment service lives, economic building lives, and maintenance costs;

(6) Determine life-cycle cost analysis format and submittal requirements to meet the provisions of chapter 201, Laws of 1991;

(7) Provide for review and approval of life-cycle cost analysis.

Sec. 27. RCW 39.35A.020 and 1985 c 169 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the definitions in this section shall apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Energy equipment and services" means energy management systems and any equipment, materials, or supplies that are expected, upon installation, to reduce the energy use or energy cost of an existing building or facility, and the services associated with the equipment, materials, or supplies, including but not limited to design, engineering, financing, installation, project management, guarantees, operations, and maintenance.

(2) "Energy management system" has the definition provided in RCW 39.35.030.

(3) "Municipality" has the definition provided in RCW 39.04.010.

((~~(3)~~)) (4) "Performance-based contract" means one or more contracts for energy equipment and services between a municipality and any other persons or entities, if the payment obligation for each year under the contract, including the year of installation, is either: (a) Set as a percentage of the annual energy cost savings attributable under the contract to the energy equipment and services; or (b) guaranteed by the other persons or entities to be less than the annual energy cost savings attributable under the contract to the energy equipment and services. Such guarantee shall be, at the option of the municipality, a bond or insurance policy, or some other guarantee determined sufficient by the municipality to provide a level of assurance similar to the level provided by a bond or insurance policy.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 28. A new section is added to chapter 39.35A RCW to read as follows:

The state department of general administration shall maintain a registry of energy service contractors and provide assistance to municipalities in identifying available performance-based contracting services.

Sec. 29. RCW 39.35C.010 and 1996 c 186 s 405 are each amended to read as follows:

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Cogeneration" means the sequential generation of two or more forms of energy from a common fuel or energy source. If these forms are electricity and thermal energy, then the operating and efficiency standards established by 18 C.F.R. Sec. 292.205 and the definitions established by 18 C.F.R. Sec. 292.202 (c) through (m) apply.

(2) "Conservation" means reduced energy consumption or energy cost, or increased efficiency in the use of energy, and activities, measures, or equipment designed to achieve such results, but does not include thermal or electric energy production from cogeneration.

(3) "Cost-effective" means that the present value to a state agency or school district of the energy reasonably expected to be saved or produced by a facility, activity, measure, or piece of equipment over its useful life, including any compensation received from a utility or the Bonneville power administration, is greater than the net present value of the costs of implementing, maintaining, and operating such facility, activity, measure, or piece of equipment over its useful life, when discounted at the cost of public borrowing.

(4) "Energy" means energy as defined in RCW 43.21F.025(1).

(5) "Energy audit" has the definition provided in RCW 43.19.670.

(6) "Energy efficiency project" means a conservation or cogeneration project.

((~~(6)~~)) (7) "Energy efficiency services" means assistance furnished by the department to state agencies and school districts in identifying, evaluating, and implementing energy efficiency projects.

((~~(7)~~)) (8) "Department" means the state department of general administration.

((~~(8)~~)) (9) "Performance-based contracting" means contracts for which payment is conditional on achieving contractually specified energy savings.

((~~(9)~~)) (10) "Public agency" means every state office, officer, board, commission, committee, bureau, department, and all political subdivisions of the state.

((~~(10)~~)) (11) "Public facility" means a building or structure, or a group of buildings or structures at a single site, owned by a state agency or school district.

((~~(11)~~)) (12) "State agency" means every state office or department, whether elective or appointive, state institutions of higher education, and all boards, commissions, or divisions of state government, however designated.

((~~(12)~~)) (13) "State facility" means a building or structure, or a group of buildings or structures at a single site, owned by a state agency.

((~~(13)~~)) (14) "Utility" means privately or publicly owned electric and gas utilities, electric cooperatives and mutuals, whether located within or without Washington state.

((~~(14)~~)) (15) "Local utility" means the utility or utilities in whose service territory a public facility is located.

Sec. 30. RCW 39.35C.020 and 1996 c 186 s 406 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Each state agency and school district shall implement cost-effective conservation improvements and maintain efficient operation of its facilities in order to minimize energy consumption and related environmental impacts and reduce operating costs. Each state agency shall undertake an energy audit and implement cost-effective conservation measures pursuant to the time schedules and requirements set forth in chapter 43.19 RCW, except that any state agency that, after December 31, 1997, has completed energy audits and implemented cost-effective conservation measures, or has contracted with an energy service company for energy audits and conservation measures, is deemed to have met the requirements of this subsection for those facilities included in the audits and conservation measures. Each school district shall undertake an energy audit and implement cost-effective conservation measures pursuant to the time schedules and requirements set forth in section 31 of this act. Performance-based contracting shall be the preferred method for completing energy audits and implementing cost-effective conservation measures.

(2) The department shall assist state agencies and school districts in identifying, evaluating, and implementing cost-effective conservation projects at their facilities. The assistance shall include the following:

(a) Notifying state agencies and school districts of their responsibilities under this chapter;

(b) Apprising state agencies and school districts of opportunities to develop and finance such projects;

(d) Reviewing verification procedures for energy savings; and

(e) Assisting in the structuring and arranging of financing for cost-effective conservation projects.

(3) Conservation projects implemented under this chapter shall have appropriate levels of monitoring to verify the performance and measure the energy savings over the life of the project. The department shall solicit involvement in program planning and implementation from utilities and other energy conservation suppliers, especially those that have demonstrated experience in performance-based energy programs.

(4) The department shall comply with the requirements of chapter 39.80 RCW when contracting for architectural or engineering services.

(5) The department shall recover any costs and expenses it incurs in providing assistance pursuant to this section, including reimbursement from third parties participating in conservation projects. The department shall enter into a written agreement with the public agency for the recovery of costs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 31. A new section is added to chapter 39.35C RCW to read as follows:

(1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, each school district shall conduct an energy audit of its facilities. This energy audit may be conducted by contract or by other arrangement, including appropriate district staff. Performance-based contracting shall be the preferred method for implementing and completing energy audits.

(a) For each district facility, the energy consumption surveys shall be completed no later than December 31, 2001, and the walk-through surveys shall be completed no later than October 1, 2002. Upon completion of each walk-through survey, the district shall implement energy conservation maintenance and operation procedures that may be identified for any district facility. These procedures shall be implemented as soon as possible, but not later than twelve months after the walk-through survey.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, if a walk-through survey has identified potentially cost-effective energy conservation measures, the district shall undertake an investment grade audit of the facility. Investment grade audits shall be completed no later than June 30, 2003, and installation of cost-effective conservation measures recommended in the investment grade audit shall be completed no later than December 31, 2004.

(2) A school district that, after December 31, 1997, has completed energy audits and implemented cost-effective conservation measures, or has contracted with an energy service company for energy audits and conservation measures, is deemed to have met the requirements of this section for those facilities included in the audits and conservation measures.

(3) A school district that after reasonable efforts and consultation with the department is unable to obtain a contract with an energy service company to conduct an investment grade audit or install cost-effective conservation measures recommended in an investment grade audit, is exempt from the requirements of subsection (1)(b) of this section.

Sec. 32. RCW 43.19.668 and 1993 c 204 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

The legislature finds and declares that the buildings, facilities, equipment, and vehicles owned or leased by state government consume significant amounts of energy and that energy conservation actions, including energy management systems, to provide for efficient energy use in these buildings, facilities, equipment, and vehicles will reduce the costs of state government. In order for the operations of state government to provide the citizens of this state an example of energy use efficiency, the legislature further finds and declares that state government should undertake an aggressive program designed to reduce energy use in state buildings, facilities, equipment, and vehicles within a reasonable period of time. The use of appropriate tree plantings for energy conservation is encouraged as part of this program.

Sec. 33. RCW 43.19.669 and 1980 c 172 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

It is the purpose of RCW 43.19.670 through 43.19.685 to require energy audits in state-owned buildings, to require energy audits as a lease condition in all new, renewed, and renegotiated leases of buildings by the state, to undertake such modifications and installations as are necessary to maximize the efficient use of energy in these buildings, including but not limited to energy management systems, and to establish a policy for the purchase of state vehicles, equipment, and materials which results in efficient energy use by the state.

For a building that is leased by the state, energy audits and implementation of cost-effective energy conservation measures are required only for that portion of the building that is leased by the state when the state leases less than one hundred percent of the building. When implementing cost-effective energy conservation measures in buildings leased by the state, those measures must generate savings sufficient to finance the building modifications and installations over a loan period not greater than ten years and allow repayment during the term of the lease.

Sec. 34. RCW 43.19.670 and 1982 c 48 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

As used in RCW 43.19.670 through 43.19.685, the following terms have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Energy audit" means a determination of the energy consumption characteristics of a facility which consists of the following elements:

(a) An energy consumption survey which identifies the type, amount, and rate of energy consumption of the facility and its major energy systems. This survey shall be made by the agency responsible for the facility.

(b) A walk-through survey which determines appropriate energy conservation maintenance and operating procedures and indicates the need, if any, for the acquisition and installation of energy conservation measures and energy management systems. This survey shall be made by the agency responsible for the facility if it has technically qualified personnel available. The director of general administration shall provide technically qualified personnel to the responsible agency if necessary.

(c) ((~~A technical assistance study~~)) An investment grade audit, which is an intensive engineering analysis of energy conservation and management measures for the facility, net energy savings, and a cost-effectiveness determination. This element is required only for those facilities designated in the ((~~technical assistance study~~)) schedule adopted under RCW 43.19.680((~~(3)~~)) (2).

(2) "Cost-effective energy conservation measures" means energy conservation measures that the investment grade audit concludes will generate savings sufficient to finance project loans of not more than ten years.

(3) "Energy conservation measure" means an installation or modification of an installation in a facility which is primarily intended to reduce energy consumption or allow the use of an alternative energy source, including:

(a) Insulation of the facility structure and systems within the facility;

(b) Storm windows and doors, multiglazed windows and doors, heat absorbing or heat reflective glazed and coated windows and door systems, additional glazing, reductions in glass area, and other window and door system modifications;

(d) Equipment required to operate variable steam, hydraulic, and ventilating systems adjusted by automatic energy control systems;

(e) Solar space heating or cooling systems, solar electric generating systems, or any combination thereof;

(f) Solar water heating systems;

(g) Furnace or utility plant and distribution system modifications including replacement burners, furnaces, and boilers which substantially increase the energy efficiency of the heating system; devices for modifying flue openings which will increase the energy efficiency of the heating system; electrical or mechanical furnace ignitions systems which replace standing gas pilot lights; and utility plant system conversion measures including conversion of existing oil- and gas-fired boiler installations to alternative energy sources;

(h) Caulking and weatherstripping;

(i) Replacement or modification of lighting fixtures which increase the energy efficiency of the lighting system;

(j) Energy recovery systems; ((~~and~~))

(k) Energy management systems; and

(l) Such other measures as the director finds will save a substantial amount of energy.

((~~(3)~~)) (4) "Energy conservation maintenance and operating procedure" means modification or modifications in the maintenance and operations of a facility, and any installations within the facility, which are designed to reduce energy consumption in the facility and which require no significant expenditure of funds.

((~~(4)~~)) (5) "Energy management system" has the definition contained in RCW 39.35.030.

(6) "Energy savings performance contracting" means the process authorized by chapter 39.35C RCW by which a company contracts with a state agency to conduct no-cost energy audits, guarantee savings from energy efficiency, provide financing for energy efficiency improvements, install or implement energy efficiency improvements, and agree to be paid for its investment solely from savings resulting from the energy efficiency improvements installed or implemented.

(7) "Energy service company" means a company or contractor providing energy savings performance contracting services.

(8) "Facility" means a building, a group of buildings served by a central energy distribution system, or components of a central energy distribution system.

((~~(5)~~)) (9) "Implementation plan" means the annual tasks and budget required to complete all acquisitions and installations necessary to satisfy the recommendations of the energy audit.

Sec. 35. RCW 43.19.675 and 1982 c 48 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

For each state-owned facility, the director of general administration, ((~~in cooperation with the director of the state energy office~~)) or the agency responsible for the facility if other than the department of general administration, shall conduct((~~, by contract or other arrangement,~~)) an energy audit ((~~for each state-owned~~)) of that facility. ((All energy audits shall be coordinated with and complement other governmental energy audit programs. The energy audit for each state-owned facility located on the capitol campus shall be completed no later than July 1, 1981, and the results and findings of each energy audit shall be compiled and transmitted to the governor and the legislature no later than October 1, 1981.)) This energy audit may be conducted by contract or by other arrangement, including appropriate agency staff. Performance-based contracting shall be the preferred method for implementing and completing energy audits. For ((~~every other~~)) each state-owned facility, the energy consumption surveys shall be completed no later than October 1, ((~~1982~~)) 2001, and the walk-through surveys shall be completed no later than July 1, ((~~1983~~)) 2002.

Sec. 36. RCW 43.19.680 and 1996 c 186 s 506 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Upon completion of each walk-through survey required by RCW 43.19.675, the director of general administration or the agency responsible for the facility if other than the department of general administration shall implement energy conservation maintenance and operation procedures that may be identified for any state-owned facility. These procedures shall be implemented as soon as possible but not later than twelve months after the walk-through survey.

(2) ((~~By December 31, 1981, for the capitol campus the director of general administration shall prepare and transmit to the governor and the legislature an implementation plan.~~)) If a walk-through survey has identified potentially cost-effective energy conservation measures, the agency responsible for the facility shall undertake an investment grade audit of the facility. Investment grade audits shall be completed no later than December 1, 2002. Installation of cost-effective energy conservation measures recommended in the investment grade audit shall be completed no later than June 30, 2004.

(3) ((By December 31, 1983, for all other state-owned facilities, the director of general administration shall prepare and transmit to the governor and the legislature the results of the energy consumption and walk-through surveys and a schedule for the conduct of technical assistance studies. This submission shall contain the energy conservation measures planned for installation during the ensuing biennium. Priority considerations for scheduling technical assistance studies shall include but not be limited to a facility's energy efficiency, responsible agency participation, comparative cost and type of fuels, possibility of outside funding, logistical considerations such as possible need to vacate the facility for installation of energy conservation measures, coordination with other planned facility modifications, and the total cost of a facility modification, including other work which would have to be done as a result of installing energy conservation measures. Energy conservation measure acquisitions and installations shall be scheduled to be twenty-five percent complete by June 30, 1985, or at the end of the capital budget biennium which includes that date, whichever is later, fifty-five percent complete by June 30, 1989, or at the end of the capital budget biennium which includes that date, whichever is later, eighty-five percent complete by June 30, 1993, or at the end of the capital budget biennium which includes that date, whichever is later, and fully complete by June 30, 1995, or at the end of the capital budget biennium which includes that date, whichever is later. Each state agency shall implement energy conservation measures with a payback period of twenty-four months or less that have a positive cash flow in the same biennium.))

For each biennium until all measures are installed, the director of general administration shall report to the governor and legislature installation progress, measures planned for installation during the ensuing biennium((~~, and changes, if any, to the technical assistance study schedule~~)). This report shall be submitted by December 31, ((~~1984~~)) 2004, or at the end of the following year whichever immediately precedes the capital budget adoption, and every two years thereafter until all measures are installed.

(4) ((~~The director of general administration shall adopt rules to facilitate private investment in energy conservation measures for state-owned buildings consistent with state law.~~)) Agencies may contract with energy service companies as authorized by chapter 39.35C RCW for energy audits and implementation of cost-effective energy conservation measures. The department shall provide technically qualified personnel to the responsible agency upon request. The department shall recover a fee for this service.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 37. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 38. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.