Title: An act relating to making it state policy that state agencies reduce energy purchases.

Brief Description: Modifying state energy policy.

Sponsors: Senators Fraser, Mulliken, Poulsen, Honeyford, Pridemore, Regala, Kline and Keiser.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Water, Energy & Environment: 1/25/06, 1/31/06 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6518 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Poulsen, Chair; Rockefeller, Vice Chair; Morton, Ranking Minority Member; Delvin, Fraser, Honeyford, Mulliken, Pridemore and Regala.

Staff: William Bridges (786-7424)

Background: State Energy Policy. The state energy policy was originally adopted in 1976. Among other things, the current policy encourages energy conservation and the elimination of wasteful and uneconomic uses of energy. It also encourages the development and use of a diverse array of energy resources, with an emphasis on renewable resources.

Executive Order Establishing Energy Efficiency Goals. An Executive Order issued in October 2004 directed state agencies to reduce energy purchases by 10 percent (measured from fiscal year 2003) by September 1, 2009. Agencies were required to use all practicable, cost-effective means available, including energy efficiency programs and the use of on-site renewable resources. Agencies were also required to annually report their total energy use to the Department of General Administration (GA).

Summary of Substitute Bill: The state energy policy is amended to encourage state agencies to reduce their electrical and heating purchases by 15 percent (measured from fiscal year 2005) by September 1, 2009. Agencies are required to use all practicable, cost-effective means available, including energy efficiency programs and the use of on-site renewable resources. GA, in cooperation with the State Energy Office, shall develop standards and formulas to assist agencies in meeting this goal.

Reporting requirements are established for GA and agencies.

A definition of "state agency" is added, which includes every state department and institutions of higher education.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: Energy saving mandate is replaced by a goal. GA and the State Energy Office are required to develop standards. GA is required to summarize agency efforts and annually report to the Legislature.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Preliminary note available on original bill.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Government should be a leader in reducing energy consumption. For example, through the Department of General Administration's efforts on the Capitol Campus, electricity consumption was reduced 40 percent from 1994 to 2004.

Testimony Against: None.

Testimony Other: The Department of Corrections (DOC) reduced its statewide energy consumption by eight percent from 2000. DOC is going through a period of rapid growth. A number of buildings are old and they consume three times as much energy as the new buildings. Given these factors, it will be difficult to meet the specified energy reductions within the provided time frame.

Who Testified: PRO: Sen. Fraser, prime sponsor.

OTHER: David Jansen, Dept. of Corrections.