HB 1544-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Provides that, by January 1, 2009, and each year thereafter through December 31, 2013, each electric utility shall ensure that at least five percent of its resources used to serve its Washington retail customers are qualified diversity resources. Of the five percent, not less than one and one-quarter percent must be alternative energy resources and not less than one and one-quarter percent must be conservation and efficiency resources.

Provides that, by January 1, 2014, and each year thereafter, each electric utility shall ensure that at least ten percent of its resources used to serve its Washington retail customers are qualified diversity resources. Of the ten percent, not less than two and one-half percent must be alternative energy resources and not less than two and one-half percent must be conservation and efficiency resources.

Provides that, by January 1, 2009, and each year thereafter through December 31, 2013, each natural gas distribution utility that provides gas services within two or more counties shall ensure that at least two and one-half percent of its resources used to serve its Washington retail customers are conservation and efficiency resources.

Requires that, by January 1, 2014, and each year thereafter, each natural gas distribution utility that provides gas services within two or more counties shall ensure that at least five percent of its resources used to serve its Washington retail customers are conservation and efficiency resources.

Provides that, by March 1, 2005, and by each March 1st thereafter, each electric utility, except electrical companies, shall report at an open public meeting its activities undertaken to achieve the requirements of this act. A written copy or transcript of the report must also be submitted to the department within twenty days of the public meeting.

Provides that, beginning March 1, 2005, and by each March 1st thereafter, each electrical company and gas company shall report to the commission its activities undertaken to achieve the requirements of this act.

Provides that, by July 1, 2005, and each July 1st thereafter, the department and the commission must jointly report to the legislature and the governor whether and how the standards in this act have been met for the previous calendar year.

Requires each electric utility, as defined in RCW 80.60.010, to undertake and complete by January 1, 2005, a feasibility study to determine effective methods for reducing by at least three percent use of electricity during daily peak periods of electricity demand.