Brief Description: Modifying duties of the joint committee on energy supply and energy conservation.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications (originally sponsored by Representatives Morris, Hudgins, McCoy and B. Sullivan).

House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications
House Committee on Capital Budget
Senate Committee on Water, Energy & Environment

Background:

Joint Committee on Energy Supply.

The Joint Committee on Energy Supply is composed of eight legislative members and is chaired by a member elected by the Membership. It must meet at the following times: (1) at least once a year; (2) at the call of the chair to receive information related to a state or regional energy supply situation; (3) during a condition of energy supply alert or energy emergency; or (4) upon the call of the chair when the Governor acts to terminate an energy supply alert or energy emergency.

Upon the Governor's declaration of an energy supply alert or energy emergency, the Joint Committee on Energy Supply must review the Governor's plans and make recommendations. The Joint Committee on Energy Supply is also charged with approving or disapproving any requests by the Governor to extend an energy supply alert or energy emergency.

Energy Audits.

State agencies and school districts are required to conduct preliminary energy surveys and audits of their buildings. The Department of General Administration (Department) tracks and reports the installation of any energy conservation measures that result from the audits.

Washington Economic Development Finance Authority (WEDFA).

The WEDFA is an independent agency within the executive branch of state government. The WEDFA may issue nonrecourse economic development bonds on both a taxable and tax-exempt basis. The WEDFA does not receive any governmental financial support, either direct or indirect for its bonds, nor does it receive any appropriation of state funds for its administration.

Summary:

Intent.

The Legislature recognizes that implementing conservation measures across all levels of government will create actual energy conservation savings, maintenance and cost savings to state and local governments, and savings to the state economy. The Legislature intends that conservation measures be identified and aggregated within a government entity or among multiple government entities to maximize energy savings and project efficiencies.

Joint Committee on Energy Supply and Energy Conservation.

The Joint Committee on Energy Supply is renamed the Joint Committee on Energy Supply and Energy Conservation (Committee).

Energy Audits and Conservation Measures.

Aggregated energy audits and conservation measures are authorized for municipalities. Municipalities may conduct energy audits and implement cost-effective energy conservation measures among multiple government entities.

Reporting.

All municipalities must report to the Department on whether they implemented during the previous biennium, cost-effective energy conservation measures aggregated among multiple government entities. The reports must be submitted to the Department by September 1, 2007, and by September 1, 2009. In collecting the reports, the Department must co-operate with the appropriate associations that represent municipalities.

The Department must prepare a report summarizing the reports submitted by municipalities. The Department must submit the report to the Committee by December 31, 2007, and by December 31, 2009.

Financing.

Financing to implement conservation measures may be carried out with bonds issued by the WEDFA.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   94   0
Senate   46   0   (Senate amended)
House   96   0   (House concurred)

Effective: July 24, 2005