BILL REQ. #:  S-4154.1 

Read first time 01/13/2006.   Referred to Committee on Water, Energy & Environment.

     AN ACT Relating to consumer and producer information on the use of biofuels and renewable energy production; and adding a new section to chapter 28B.31 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28B.31 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) From funds appropriated specifically for this purpose, the Washington State University energy extension program shall provide consumer education and outreach regarding the use of biofuels in transportation, heating, electricity generation, and other applications. These services must be primarily implemented through grants allocated on a competitive basis to public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and business entities that propose education and outreach programs that further the objectives set forth in subsection (2) of this section.
     (2) The energy extension program and its grant recipients shall make information available to the public regarding:
     (a) The availability of biofuels from retail distributors in their community or nearby communities;
     (b) The processing, refining, and distribution facilities in the state;
     (c) The various types, grades, and blends of biofuels, and their potential uses;
     (d) Obtain information from vehicle and equipment manufacturers and services regarding the use of biofuels and modifications which may improve operation on biofuels, and provide such information on the program's web site;
     (e) The role of the state's agricultural and forest products industries in the supply of biofuel feedstock and the benefits to the state's farm and forest communities of increasing consumer demand for biofuel produced from Washington's farms and forests; and
     (f) The energy security, air quality, and associated benefits to the entire state of increasing biofuel uses.
     (3) The energy extension program shall provide technical assistance to public and private entities whose transportation fleet managers seek to increase the use of biofuels in their fleets.
     (4) The energy extension program must provide information to consumers and producers of renewable energy, including state and federal tax incentives for renewable energy production, sources of technical assistance in the installation of production facilities, information regarding applicable permitting and licensing requirements for such facilities, and information regarding utility acquisition of generation from renewable energy facilities.
     (5) The energy extension program shall consult with the departments of agriculture, ecology, and community, trade, and economic development to maximize the effectiveness of its consumer education and outreach activities.
     (6) The energy extension program shall endeavor to provide information throughout the state, but may award individual grants for activities in regional areas of the state.
     (7) The energy extension program shall begin program design and initial implementation of this section in fiscal year 2007, and fully implement the grant program and provision of information to consumers and producers beginning in fiscal year 2008.