BILL REQ. #:  S-3967.1 

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

     AN ACT Relating to making it state policy that state agencies reduce energy purchases; and amending RCW 43.21F.015.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 43.21F.015 and 1994 c 207 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     It is the policy of the state of Washington that:
     (1) The development and use of a diverse array of energy resources with emphasis on renewable energy resources shall be encouraged;
     (2) The supply of energy shall be sufficient to insure the health and economic welfare of its citizens;
     (3) The development and use of energy resources shall be consistent with the statutory environmental policies of the state;
     (4) Energy conservation and elimination of wasteful and uneconomic uses of energy and materials shall be encouraged, and this conservation should include, but is not limited to, resource recovery and materials recycling;
     (5) By September 1, 2009, state agencies shall reduce energy purchases by fifteen percent from fiscal year 2005, using all practicable, cost-effective means available, including energy efficiency programs and the use of on-site renewable resources.
     (a) By September 1st of each year, state agencies shall report their energy used in the previous fiscal year to the department of general administration.
     (b) For the purposes of this subsection, the following definitions apply:
     (i) "State agency" means every state office or department, whether elective or appointive, state institutions of higher education, and all boards, commissions, or divisions of state government, however designated.
     (ii) "Energy" means: Petroleum or other liquid fuels; natural or synthetic fuel gas; solid carbonaceous fuels; fissionable nuclear material; electricity; solar radiation; geothermal resources; hydropower; organic waste products; wind; tidal activity; any other substance or process used to produce heat, light, or motion; or the savings from nongeneration technologies, including conservation or improved efficiency in the usage of any of the sources described in this subsection;
     (6) In energy emergency shortage situations, energy requirements to maintain the public health, safety, and welfare shall be given priority in the allocation of energy resources, and citizens and industry shall be assisted in adjusting to the limited availability of energy in order to minimize adverse impacts on their physical, social, and economic well being;
     (((6))) (7) State government shall provide a source of impartial and objective information in order that this energy policy may be enhanced; and
     (((7))) (8) The state energy strategy shall provide primary guidance for implementation of the state's energy policy.