Amends RCW 80.50.060 and 80.50.020 relating to siting electrical transmission under the energy facility site evaluation council.

Provides that, for applications to site electrical transmission facilities, the council shall conduct a preapplication process pursuant to rules adopted by the council to govern such process, receive applications as prescribed in RCW 80.50.071, and conduct public meetings pursuant to RCW 80.50.090.

Provides that the council shall consider and may recommend certification of electrical transmission facilities in corridors designated for this purpose by affected cities, towns, or counties: (1) Where the jurisdictions have identified electrical transmission facility corridors as part of their land use plans and zoning maps based on policies adopted in their plans;

(2) Where the proposed electrical transmission facility is consistent with any adopted development regulations that govern the siting of electrical transmission facilities in such corridors; and

(3) Where contiguous jurisdictions and jurisdictions in which related regional electrical transmission facilities are located have either prior to or during the preapplication process undertaken good faith efforts to coordinate the locations of their corridors consistent with RCW 36.70A.100.

Provides that a preapplicant shall pay to the council a fee of ten thousand dollars to be applied to the cost of the preapplication process as a condition precedent to any action by the council, provided that costs in excess of this amount shall be paid only upon prior approval by the preapplicant, and provided further that any unexpended portions thereof shall be returned to the preapplicant.

Requires the council to consult with the preapplicant and prepare a plan for the preapplication process which shall commence with an informational public hearing within sixty days after the receipt of the preapplication fee as provided in RCW 80.50.090.

Provides that the preapplication plan shall include but need not be limited to: (1) An initial consultation to explain the proposal and request input from council staff, federal and state agencies, cities, towns, counties, port districts, tribal governments, property owners, and interested individuals;

(2) Where applicable, a process to guide negotiations between the preapplicant and cities, towns, and counties within the corridor proposed pursuant to this act.

Repeals 2006 c 196 s 2 (uncodified).