Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Technology, Energy & Communications Committee |
HB 1994
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. |
Brief Description: Informing electric customers of the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the customer's electricity consumption.
Sponsors: Representatives Finn and Chase.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/16/09
Staff: Kara Durbin (786-7133)
Background:
Greenhouse Gases Emissions
In 2008 the Legislature enacted the following statewide greenhouse gases (GHG) emission reductions requirements:
by 2020 reduce overall GHG emissions in the state to 1990 levels;
by 2035 reduce overall GHG emissions in the state to 25 percent below 1990 levels; and
by 2050 reduce overall GHG emissions in the state to 50 percent below 1990 levels, or 70 percent below the state's expected GHG emissions that year.
Owners or operators of a fleet of on-road motor vehicles that emit at least 2,500 metric tons of direct GHG emissions annually in the state, or a source or combination of sources that emit at least 10,000 metric tons of direct GHG emissions annually in the state, must report their total annual GHG emissions to the Department of Ecology beginning in 2010 for their 2009 emissions.
Fuel Mix Disclosure
Electric utilities in Washington must provide retail customers with fuel mix information on an annual or semi-annual basis, depending on the size of the utility. "Fuel mix" means the actual or imputed sources of electricity sold to retail customers, expressed in terms of percentage contribution by resource category.
Electric utilities provide fuel mix data to the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED). The CTED compiles data from all electric utilities in the state and publishes an annual utility fuel mix report, which electric utilities may use to distribute to their retail customers.
Summary of Bill:
Electric utilities must disclose in the customer billing for each retail electric customer the estimated carbon dioxide emissions associated with the customer's electricity consumption. This estimate may be based on the electric utility's fuel mix for the electricity product being provided.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.