ESHB 2289 -
By Committee on Environment, Water & Energy
NOT ADOPTED 04/17/2009
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 The legislature intends to modify the
energy freedom program and account in order to receive federal funds
and other sources of funding. Also, the legislature intends to expand
the mission of the energy freedom program to accelerate energy
efficiency improvements, renewable energy improvements, and deployment
of innovative energy technologies. Additionally, the legislature
intends to support, through the energy freedom program, research,
demonstration, and commercialization of energy efficiency improvements,
renewable energy improvements, and innovation energy technologies.
Sec. 2 RCW 43.325.010 and 2007 c 348 s 301 are each amended to
read as follows:
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter
unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Applicant" means the state and any political subdivision of
the state, including port districts, counties, cities, towns, special
purpose districts, and other municipal corporations or quasi-municipal
corporations. "Applicant" may also include federally recognized tribes
((and)), state institutions of higher education with appropriate
research capabilities, any organization described in section 501(c)(3)
of the internal revenue code, and private entities that are eligible to
receive federal funds.
(2) "Alternative fuel" means all products or energy sources used to
propel motor vehicles, other than conventional gasoline, diesel, or
reformulated gasoline. "Alternative fuel" includes, but is not limited
to, cellulose, liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas,
compressed natural gas, biofuels, biodiesel fuel, E85 motor fuel, fuels
containing seventy percent or more by volume of alcohol fuel, fuels
that are derived from biomass, hydrogen fuel, anhydrous ammonia fuel,
nonhazardous motor fuel, or electricity, excluding onboard electric
generation.
(3) "Assistance" includes loans, leases, product purchases, or
other forms of financial or technical assistance.
(4) "Biofuel" includes, but is not limited to, biodiesel, ethanol,
and ethanol blend fuels and renewable liquid natural gas or liquid
compressed natural gas made from biogas.
(5) "Biogas" includes waste gases derived from landfills and
wastewater treatment plants and dairy and farm wastes.
(6) "Cellulose" means lignocellulosic, hemicellulosic, or other
cellulosic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis,
including dedicated energy crops and trees, wood and wood residues,
plants, grasses, agricultural residues, fibers, animal wastes and other
waste materials, and municipal solid waste.
(7) "Coordinator" means the person appointed by the director of the
department of community, trade, and economic development.
(8) "Department" means the department of community, trade, and
economic development.
(9) "Director" means the director of the department of community,
trade, and economic development.
(10) "Energy efficiency improvement" means an installation or
modification that is designed to reduce energy consumption. The term
includes, but is not limited to: Insulation; storm windows and doors;
automatic energy control systems; energy efficiency audits; heating,
ventilating, or air conditioning and distribution system modifications
or replacements in buildings or central plants; caulking and weather
stripping; energy recovery systems; geothermal heat pumps; and day
lighting systems.
(11) "Green highway zone" means an area in the state designated by
the department that is within reasonable proximity of state route
number 5, state route number 90, and state route number 82.
(((11))) (12) "Innovative energy technology" means, but is not
limited to, the following: Smart grid or smart metering; biogas from
landfills, wastewater treatment plants, anaerobic digesters, or other
processes; wave or tidal power; fuel cells; high efficiency
cogeneration; and energy storage systems.
(13) "Peer review committee" means a board, appointed by the
director, that includes bioenergy specialists, energy conservation
specialists, scientists, and individuals with specific recognized
expertise.
(((12))) (14) "Project" means the construction of facilities,
including the purchase of equipment, to convert farm products or wastes
into electricity or gaseous or liquid fuels or other coproducts
associated with such conversion, or clean energy projects as identified
by the clean energy initiative as created in section 2, chapter . . .
(Substitute Senate Bill No. 5921), Laws of 2009. These specifically
include fixed or mobile facilities to generate electricity or methane
from the anaerobic digestion of organic matter, and fixed or mobile
facilities for extracting oils from canola, rape, mustard, and other
oilseeds. "Project" may also include the construction of facilities
associated with such conversion for the distribution and storage of
such feedstocks and fuels. The definition of project does not apply to
projects as described in RCW 43.325.020(5).
(15) "Renewable energy improvements" means a fixture, product,
system, device, or interacting group of devices that produces energy
from renewable resources. The term includes, but is not limited to:
Photovoltaic systems; solar thermal systems; small wind systems;
biomass systems; and geothermal systems.
(((13))) (16) "Refueling project" means the construction of new
alternative fuel refueling facilities, as well as upgrades and
expansion of existing refueling facilities, that will enable these
facilities to offer alternative fuels to the public.
(((14))) (17) "Research and development project" means research and
development, by an institution of higher education as defined in
subsection (1) of this section, relating to:
(a) Bioenergy sources including but not limited to biomass and
associated gases; or
(b) The development of markets for bioenergy coproducts.
Sec. 3 RCW 43.325.020 and 2007 c 348 s 302 are each amended to
read as follows:
(1) The energy freedom program is established within the
department. The director may establish policies and procedures
necessary for processing, reviewing, and approving applications made
under this chapter.
(2) When reviewing applications submitted under this program, the
director shall consult with those agencies and other public entities
having expertise and knowledge to assess the technical and business
feasibility of the project and probability of success. These agencies
may include, but are not limited to, Washington State University, the
University of Washington, the department of ecology, the department of
natural resources, the department of agriculture, the department of
general administration, local clean air authorities, ((and)) the
Washington state conservation commission, and the clean energy
initiative as created in section 2, chapter . . . (Substitute Senate
Bill No. 5921), Laws of 2009.
(3) Except as provided in subsections (4) and (5) of this section,
the director, in cooperation with the department of agriculture, may
approve an application only if the director finds:
(a) The project will convert farm products, wastes, cellulose, or
biogas directly into electricity or biofuel or other coproducts
associated with such conversion;
(b) The project demonstrates technical feasibility and directly
assists in moving a commercially viable project into the marketplace
for use by Washington state citizens;
(c) The facility will produce long-term economic benefits to the
state, a region of the state, or a particular community in the state;
(d) The project does not require continuing state support;
(e) The assistance will result in new jobs, job retention, or
higher incomes for citizens of the state;
(f) The state is provided an option under the assistance agreement
to purchase a portion of the fuel or feedstock to be produced by the
project, exercisable by the department of general administration;
(g) The project will increase energy independence or diversity for
the state;
(h) The project will use feedstocks produced in the state, if
feasible, except this criterion does not apply to the construction of
facilities used to distribute and store fuels that are produced from
farm products or wastes;
(i) Any product produced by the project will be suitable for its
intended use, will meet accepted national or state standards, and will
be stored and distributed in a safe and environmentally sound manner;
(j) The application provides for adequate reporting or disclosure
of financial and employment data to the director, and permits the
director to require an annual or other periodic audit of the project
books; and
(k) For research and development projects, the application has been
independently reviewed by a peer review committee as defined in RCW
43.325.010 and the findings delivered to the director.
(4) When reviewing an application for a refueling project, the
coordinator may award a grant or a loan to an applicant if the director
finds:
(a) The project will offer alternative fuels to the motoring
public;
(b) The project does not require continued state support;
(c) The project is located within a green highway zone as defined
in RCW 43.325.010;
(d) The project will contribute towards an efficient and adequately
spaced alternative fuel refueling network along the green highways
designated in RCW 47.17.020, 47.17.135, and 47.17.140; and
(e) The project will result in increased access to alternative
fueling infrastructure for the motoring public along the green highways
designated in RCW 47.17.020, 47.17.135, and 47.17.140.
(5) When reviewing an application for energy efficiency
improvements, renewable energy improvements, or innovative energy
technology, the director may award a grant or a loan to an applicant if
the director finds:
(a) The project or program will result in increased access for the
public, state and local governments, and businesses to energy
efficiency improvements, renewable energy improvements, or innovative
energy technologies;
(b) The project or program demonstrates technical feasibility and
directly assists in moving a commercially viable project into the
marketplace for use by Washington state citizens;
(c) The project or program does not require continued state
support; or
(d) The federal government has provided funds with a limited time
frame for use for energy independence and security, energy efficiency,
renewable energy, innovative energy technologies, or conservation.
(6)(a) The director may approve a project application for
assistance under subsection (3) of this section up to five million
dollars. In no circumstances shall this assistance constitute more
than fifty percent of the total project cost.
(b) The director may approve a refueling project application for a
grant or a loan under subsection (4) of this section up to fifty
thousand dollars. In no circumstances shall a grant or a loan award
constitute more than fifty percent of the total project cost.
(((6))) (7) The director shall enter into agreements with approved
applicants to fix the terms and rates of the assistance to minimize the
costs to the applicants, and to encourage establishment of a viable
bioenergy or biofuel industry, or a viable energy efficiency, renewable
energy, or innovative energy technology industry. The agreement shall
include provisions to protect the state's investment, including a
requirement that a successful applicant enter into contracts with any
partners that may be involved in the use of any assistance provided
under this program, including services, facilities, infrastructure, or
equipment. Contracts with any partners shall become part of the
application record.
(((7))) (8) The director may defer any payments for up to twenty-four months or until the project starts to receive revenue from
operations, whichever is sooner.
Sec. 4 RCW 43.325.030 and 2007 c 348 s 205 are each amended to
read as follows:
The ((director of the department)) office of the governor shall
appoint a coordinator that is responsible for:
(1) Convening the clean energy initiative as created in section 2,
chapter . . . (Substitute Senate Bill No. 5921), Laws of 2009;
(2) Managing, directing, inventorying, and coordinating state
efforts to promote, develop, and encourage ((a)) biofuel((s)) and
energy efficiency, renewable energy, and innovative energy technology
markets in Washington;
(((2))) (3) Developing, coordinating, and overseeing the
implementation of a plan, or series of plans, for the production,
transport, distribution, and delivery of energy efficiency, renewable
energy, and innovative energy technology products and services as well
as biofuels produced predominantly from recycled products or Washington
feedstocks;
(((3))) (4) Working with the departments of transportation and
general administration, and other applicable state and local
governmental entities and the private sector, to ensure the development
of biofuel fueling stations for use by state and local governmental
motor vehicle fleets, and to provide greater availability of public
biofuel fueling stations for use by state and local governmental motor
vehicle fleets;
(((4))) (5) Coordinating with the Western Washington University
alternative automobile program for opportunities to support new
Washington state technology for conversion of fossil fuel fleets to
biofuel, hybrid, or alternative fuel propulsion;
(((5))) (6) Coordinating with the University of Washington's
college of forest management and the Olympic natural resources center
for the identification of barriers to using the state's forest
resources for fuel production, including the economic and
transportation barriers of physically bringing forest biomass to the
market;
(((6))) (7) Coordinating with the department of agriculture and
Washington State University for the identification of other barriers
for future biofuels development and development of strategies for
furthering the penetration of the Washington state fossil fuel market
with Washington produced biofuels, particularly among public entities.
Sec. 5 RCW 43.325.040 and 2007 c 348 s 305 are each amended to
read as follows:
(1) The energy freedom account is created in the state treasury.
All receipts from appropriations made to the account and any loan
payments of principal and interest derived from loans made under this
chapter must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may
be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may
be used only for assistance for projects consistent with this chapter
or otherwise authorized by the legislature.
(a) Repayments of principal and interest from loans made to
projects defined in RCW 43.325.010(14) must be used only for financial
assistance to further funding of projects defined under that section.
(b) Repayments of principal and interest from loans made to energy
efficiency improvement, renewable energy improvement, and innovative
energy technology projects as defined in RCW 43.325.010 must be used
only for financial assistance to further funding of projects defined
under that section.
(2) The green energy incentive account is created in the state
treasury as a subaccount of the energy freedom account. All receipts
from appropriations made to the green energy incentive account shall be
deposited into the account, and may be spent only after appropriation.
Expenditures from the account may be used only for:
(a) Refueling projects awarded under this chapter;
(b) Pilot projects for plug-in hybrids, including grants provided
for the electrification program set forth in RCW 43.325.110; and
(c) Demonstration projects developed with state universities as
defined in RCW 28B.10.016 and local governments that result in the
design and building of a hydrogen vehicle fueling station.
(3) The nonstate energy account is created in the state treasury.
All receipts from appropriations made to the nonstate energy account
shall be deposited into the account and may be spent only after
appropriation. Money provided by the federal government for energy
independence and security, innovative energy technologies, energy
efficiency, renewable energy, and conservation must be deposited into
the nonstate energy account.
(a) To the energy efficiency assistance account created in section
110, chapter . . . (Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5649),
Laws of 2009 there is appropriated from the nonstate energy account for
the biennium ending June 30, 2011, a sum of thirty million dollars of
the federal funds received by the state pursuant to the federal
American recovery and reinvestment act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5), the
federal energy independence and security act of 2007 (P.L. 110-140),
the federal energy policy and conservation act (Title 42 U.S.C. Sec.
6321), and the energy efficient appliance rebate program authorized by
the federal energy policy act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58), for the purpose of
funding the energy efficiency assistance program as created in section
102, chapter . . . (Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5649),
Laws of 2009.
(b) There is appropriated from the nonstate energy account to
Washington State University the sum of fifteen million dollars for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, and fifteen million dollars for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 2011.
(4) Any state agency receiving funding from the energy freedom
account is prohibited from retaining greater than three percent of any
funding provided from the energy freedom account for administrative
overhead or other deductions not directly associated with conducting
the research, projects, or other end products that the funding is
designed to produce unless this provision is waived in writing by the
director.
(((4))) (5) Any university, institute, or other entity that is not
a state agency receiving funding from the energy freedom account is
prohibited from retaining greater than fifteen percent of any funding
provided from the energy freedom account for administrative overhead or
other deductions not directly associated with conducting the research,
projects, or other end products that the funding is designed to
produce.
(((5))) (6) For the purposes of funding the clean energy leadership
initiative, as created in section 2, chapter . . . (Substitute Senate
Bill No. 5921), Laws of 2009 there is appropriated from the nonstate
energy account to Washington State University the sum of five hundred
thousand dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010.
(7) Subsections (2) through (((4))) (5) of this section do not
apply to assistance awarded for projects under RCW 43.325.020(3).
Sec. 6 RCW 43.325.070 and 2007 c 348 s 303 are each amended to
read as follows:
(1) If the total requested dollar amount of assistance awarded for
projects under RCW 43.325.020(3) exceeds the amount available in the
energy freedom account created in RCW 43.325.040, the applications must
be prioritized based upon the following criteria:
(a) The extent to which the project will help reduce dependence on
petroleum fuels and imported energy either directly or indirectly;
(b) The extent to which the project will reduce air and water
pollution either directly or indirectly;
(c) The extent to which the project will establish a viable
bioenergy ((or)), biofuel production capacity, energy efficiency,
renewable energy, or innovative energy technology industry in
Washington;
(d) The benefits to Washington's agricultural producers;
(e) The benefits to the health of Washington's forests;
(f) The beneficial uses of biogas; ((and))
(g) The number and quality of jobs and economic benefits created by
the project; and
(h) Other criteria determined by the clean energy initiative.
(2) This section does not apply to grants or loans awarded for
refueling projects under RCW 43.325.020 (4) and (6).
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7 Sections 2, 3, 5, and 6 of this act expire
June 30, 2016.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 8 This act is necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the
state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect
immediately."
ESHB 2289 -
By Committee on Environment, Water & Energy
NOT ADOPTED 04/17/2009
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "program;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 43.325.010, 43.325.020, 43.325.030, 43.325.040, and 43.325.070; creating a new section; making appropriations; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency."