SB 5912-S - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

     Revises provisions of chapter 80.50 RCW relating to energy siting.

     Declares that no city or county comprehensive plan or zoning ordinance may preclude the siting of energy facilities.

     Authorizes the council to adopt standards by rule to guide cities and counties in determining whether a particular comprehensive plan or zoning ordinance provision may have a preclusionary effect on the siting of one or more types of energy facilities.

     Creates the joint select committee on the energy facility site evaluation council.

     Requires the joint select committee on the energy facility site evaluation council to undertake an evaluation of the operations of the council to assess means to enhance its efficiency.  The assessment must include whether the efficiency of the siting process would be improved by conducting the process under the state environmental policy act in a particular sequence relative to the adjudicative proceeding.

     Declares that the results of this assessment may include recommendations for administrative changes, statutory changes, or expanded staffing levels.

     Requires the governor to implement the recommendations for enhanced efficiency of the energy facility siting process.