HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 3216


This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:
Technology, Energy & Communications

Title: An act relating to hydrokinetic energy.

Brief Description: Developing wave and tidal energy technologies in Washington.

Sponsors: Representatives Seaquist, Morris, Upthegrove, Hudgins, Loomis, Kelley, Morrell, VanDeWege, Ericks and Hankins.

Brief History:

Technology, Energy & Communications: 1/25/08 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Requires the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development and the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council to convene and co-chair a work group on hydrokinetic energy.
  • Specifies that the work group is responsible for developing recommendations on the creation of the Washington State Center for Excellence in Hydrokinetic Energy and a one-stop wave and tidal project permitting program.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY, ENERGY & COMMUNICATIONS

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives McCoy, Chair; Eddy, Vice Chair; Crouse, Ranking Minority Member; McCune, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hankins, Herrera, Hudgins, Hurst, Kelley, Morris, Takko and Van De Wege.

Staff: Scott Richards (786-7156).

Background:

Washington has over 150 miles of ocean coastline and approximately 2,500 miles of shoreline in Puget Sound. In a 2004 survey and characterization of potential offshore wave energy sites in Washington, the Electric Power Research Institute (ERPI), rated the state with excellent offshore wave energy resources. Washington's tidal energy resource are unique in that a number of potential tidal energy sites are located near population centers, matching the resource to the load. The major benefits of wave and tidal energy are that they are non-polluting, reliable, and predictable.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Under the Federal Power Act, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is authorized to issue preliminary permits to study the feasibility of hydroelectric projects and licenses for the construction and operation of all hydroelectric projects in navigable waters of the United States.

Recent Wave and Tidal Power Activities
Currently, there are eight tidal power projects and one wave power under development in Washington. Tacoma Power is developing a tidal power project located in the Tacoma Narrows and Snohomish County Public Utility District (SnoPUD) is developing seven tidal power projects located throughout Puget Sound in Spieden Channel, San Juan Channel, Guemes Channel, Agate Pass, Rich Passage, Admiralty Inlet, and Deception Pass. Finavera Renewables is responsible for developing the sole wave power project in Washington. It is located in the Pacific Ocean in Makah Bay in Clallam County.

In early 2007 Tacoma Power and SnoPUD received preliminary permits from FERC that allows the utilities to conduct environmental, technical, and economic feasibility studies and evaluate tidal energy potential at their sites. The preliminary permits issued by FERC reserves a project location for the permit holder for up to three years while these studies are conducted. Construction activities are not permitted while a project is being studied. At the end of the three years, a license application must be filed by the permit holder or they lose priority to develop the location.    

In December 2007 FERC issued the first ever operating license for a wave, tidal, or current (hydrokinetic) energy project in the United States to Finavera Renewables for its Makah Bay Pilot Project. The decision by FERC gives Finavera Renewables a conditional five-year license for the proposed project. The FERC license is conditional on the company obtaining all necessary additional federal and state permits before construction may begin.

Regulatory Uncertainty
Because wave and tidal power is in its early stages of development, there remains uncertainty over which federal and state agencies have regulatory jurisdiction over particular wave and tidal projects. For example on the federal level, in addition to FERC, the Minerals Management Service (MMS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Coast Guard may be involved in the siting and operations of a wave or tidal power project, depending on the project's location or the project's impacts. On the state level, the Department of Ecology, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife may be involved in the siting and operations of a wave or tidal power project, depending on the project's location or the project's impacts. In addition, a local government and electrical utility may be involved if the project or parts of the project are located in its jurisdiction or service area, respectively.

The Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development
The Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (DCTED) is grouped into six divisions: Community Services, Housing, Local Government, Trade and Economic Development, Public Works Board, and Energy Policy. The DCTED Energy Policy Division provides information and analysis to support for energy policy decision making; assists in developing energy policies and programs; ensures effective responses to energy emergencies and disruptions; and provides long-term planning to minimize the total cost of energy service.

Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (Council) was created in 1970 to provide one-stop licensing for large energy projects. The Council membership includes: the Council Chair, the Department of Ecology; the Department of Fish and Wildlife; the Department of Natural Resources; the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development; and the Utilities and Transportation Commission. The following agencies are not regular members of the Council, but can elect to appoint a Council representative for the siting of new projects: the Department of Agriculture; the Department of Health; the Department of Transportation; and the Military Department. The Council's membership may include representatives from the particular city, county, or port district where potential projects may be located.


Summary of Substitute Bill:

The DCTED and the Council are required to convene and co-chair a work group to develop the Washington State Center for Excellence in Hydrokinetic Energy (Center) and develop a unique one-stop permit process for both wave power and tidal power projects.

The work group must consist of, but not be limited to, representatives from the following entities:

State agencies that are members of the Council must provide their existing designee members to serve on the work group.

The Center for Excellence in Hydrokinetic Energy
The work group must ensure that the Center is a public-private entity and that the Center supports a sustainable approach to hydrokinetic energy development aimed at economic development, environmental protection, and community stability.

The work group must make recommendations to the Legislature to include, but not be limited to:

The work group must provide a report to the appropriate committees of the Legislature containing its recommendations, as well as draft legislation implementing its recommendations, by December 1, 2008.

Wave and Tidal Power Permit Streamlining
The DCTED and the Council are required to convene and staff the work group to develop recommendations for a streamlined one-stop permitting program that utilizes interagency review of projects to permit wave and tidal power projects.

By June 30, 2009 the work group must develop a detailed work plan of the process to develop the one-stop programmatic permitting for wave and tidal projects for review by the Legislature and update every six months. If the work group determines that additional time is required to develop the one-stop programmatic permitting process for wave power projects, the work group must report to the Legislature on the need for additional time and update the work plan accordingly.

In creating one-stop programmatic permitting processes for wave and tidal power projects, the work group will:

In developing recommendations for a one-stop programmatic permit, the work group must consider additional issues that may be associated with permitting a wave or tidal energy project, which include:

By June 30, 2010 the work group is required to provide a final report to the Legislature on the one-stop programmatic permitting process proposed by the work group.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

A commercial fishing association is added to the work group responsible for developing recommendations on the Washington State Center for Excellence in Hydrokinetic Energy and the one-stop programmatic permit for wave and tidal power projects.


Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 23, 2008.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill is a good step forward on wave and tidal energy development in Washington. It starts the process of what the state needs to do from a permit perspective so there are reduced permitting barriers when the technologies are ready for deployment in Washington.

(With concerns) There are concerns about the development of a programmatic permit and the potential to reduce environmental review. This is a new technology and may be premature to begin a discussion on a one-stop programmatic permit.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Morris; and Dave Arbaugh, Snohomish Public Utility District.

(With concerns) Bruce Wishart, People for Puget Sound; and Ed Owens, Coalition of Coastal Fisheries.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.