HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 2437
As Passed House:
February 11, 2006
Title: An act relating to state-owned refueling stations.
Brief Description: Providing guidelines for state-owned refueling stations.
Sponsors: By House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability (originally sponsored by Representatives Hudgins, Chase, Dunshee and Upthegrove).
Brief History:
State Government Operations & Accountability: 1/17/06, 2/1/06 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/11/06, 95-0.
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ACCOUNTABILITY
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Haigh, Chair; Green, Vice Chair; Nixon, Ranking Minority Member; Hunt, McDermott, Miloscia and Sump.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Clements, Assistant Ranking Minority Member and Schindler.
Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).
Background:
As early as 1980, the Legislature commenced a policy regarding the use of alternative fuels in
state-owned motor vehicles. The Office of Financial Management was directed to establish
policies governing passenger motor vehicles owned or operated by state agencies and the
"widest possible use of gasohol and cost-effective alternative fuels." In 1989, the Department
of General Administration (GA) was directed to consider the use of state vehicles to conduct
field tests on alternative fuels in areas of high air pollution. The GA was also directed to
explore aggregated purchases of alternative fueled vehicles with the federal government,
agencies of other states, other Washington state agencies, local governments, or private
organizations.
In 1991, the Legislature stated its policy to reduce vehicle emissions and decrease
dependence on petroleum-based fuels. It directed the Utilities and Transportation
Commission (UTC) to identify barriers to the development of refueling stations for vehicles
operating on compressed natural gas, and develop policies to remove those barriers. The
UTC was to consider providing rate incentives to encourage natural gas companies to invest
in the infrastructure required by refueling stations.
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Act) requires certain fleets to acquire alternative fuel
vehicles that are capable of operating on non-petroleum fuels. Under the Act, by 2001, 75
percent of new light duty vehicle purchases made by state fleets must be alternative fuel
vehicles. Light duty vehicles are, generally, passenger cars. Excluded are law enforcement,
emergency, and non-road vehicles. Currently, the state motor pool fleet consists of about
1,400 vehicles. Approximately 75 percent of these vehicles are flex-fuel and can be fueled by
ethanol and/or gasoline. Because ethanol is not currently available in this state, the motor
pool cars are fueled with gasoline.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
State agencies must provide the following information to the Legislature by December 31,
2007:
Alternative fuels include, for the purposes of the study, biodiesel, ethanol (E85), hydrogen and liquid natural gas.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: (In support) The policy goal is to provide more access to alternative fuels in
our state by leveraging state resources to demonstrate to the private sector that the state is
willing to take a risk. It may not be possible to allow public use at the state refueling stations.
The state can implement E85 in most all of these stations. Over 800 vehicles in the state fleet
use ethanol, and yet ethanol is not available in the state.
(With concerns) The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has
concerns. It is expected that the fiscal note will be closer to $2 million after reconfiguring
stations, providing staffing, switching diesel types, and implementing a tax structure.
Priority needs to be granted for fueling WSDOT and Washington State Patrol vehicles. Some
station locations would pose potential security concerns, and access to the public poses
liability concerns. If ethanol is used, the infrastructure change would include placing
multiple tanks in the ground and adding pumps.
(Information only) The main vehicle used in the state motor pool is the Ford Taurus which is
$800-$900 more than a regular Taurus, but still below the cost to the public. The GA motor
pool consists of about 1,400 vehicles, about 800 of which are flex-fuel vehicles.
Testimony Against: None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Hudgins, prime sponsor.
(With concerns) Jennifer Ziegler and Greg Hansen, Washington State Department of
Transportation.
(Information only) Martin Casey, Department of General Administration.