2172-S AMS NR S2716.1

SHB 2172 - S COMM AMD

By Senator

ADOPTED 04/09/2003

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

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

(a) As a consumer of energy resources and a committed steward of public health and environmental quality, Washington state government is well-positioned to be a leader in promoting and using clean energy technologies, including fuel cells;

(b) The use of batteries and internal combustion engines in state facilities for emergency and back-up power, and to power remote equipment for communications, security lighting, cameras and sensors, signaling, environmental monitoring, and similar applications can adversely impact the environment.

(2) The legislature declares that:

(a) Fuel cells operating directly on hydrogen emit only water and heat and can be used indoors and outdoors without harming the environment or people;

(b) Fuel cells provide reliable and high digital quality direct current power that meets uninterruptible and premium power supply requirements;

(c) Commercial fuel cells can be highly efficient when used in a cogeneration application; and

(d) On a life-cycle cost basis, small fuel cells can offer a better economic value to the state than batteries and internal combustion engines.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.19 RCW to read as follows:

(1) State agencies, when planning for the construction of a state facility, must consider the utilization of fuel cells as a primary source of energy for a facility that requires a source of uninterrupted electric power.

(2) When planning the procurement of back-up power systems and remote power sources, state agencies must consider the use of fuel cells as an alternative to purchasing and utilizing batteries or internal combustion engines.

(3) The director of the department of general administration shall assist state agencies in identifying, evaluating, and developing potential fuel cell applications at their facilities. The department shall notify state agencies of these potential applications and provide technical and analytical support. The department shall recover costs for this assistance through written agreements, including reimbursement from third parties participating in the projects, for any costs and expenses incurred in providing assistance.

(4) State agencies may use financing contracts under chapter 39.94 RCW to provide all or part of the funding for the procurement and installation of fuel cells for the purposes of this section. The department of general administration shall determine the eligibility of projects for financing contracts. The repayments of the financing contracts shall be sufficient to pay, when due, the principal and interest on the contracts.

(5) For the purposes of this section, (a) "fuel cell" means an electrochemical reaction that generates electric energy by combining atoms of hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst; and (b) "state facilities" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 43.19.450.

(6) State agencies are also authorized to consider and use other renewable or alternative energy sources to the same extent as provided for fuel cells under subsections (1) through (4) of this section."

SHB 2172 - S COMM AMD

By Senator

ADOPTED 04/09/2003

On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "facilities;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding a new section to chapter 43.19 RCW; and creating a new section."

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