HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2676
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 Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to energy conservation loans.
Brief Description: Extending the pay back period for certain energy conservation loans.
Sponsors: Representatives Chase and Simpson.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Technology, Energy & Communications: 1/21/10, 1/27/10 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/13/10, 91-1.
First Special Session.
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/17/10, 91-0.
Passed Senate: 3/20/10, 39-1.
Passed Legislature.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY, ENERGY & COMMUNICATIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 17 members: Representatives McCoy, Chair; Finn, Vice Chair; Crouse, Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Carlyle, Condotta, Eddy, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Jacks, McCune, Morris, Nealey, Takko, Taylor and Van De Wege.
Staff: Scott Richards (786-7156).
Background:
Financing of Energy Conservation by Public Utility Districts.
Under current Washington law and within limits established by the state Constitution, public utility districts are authorized to assist the owners of structures or equipment in financing the acquisition and installation of materials and equipment for the conservation or more efficient use of energy. Any financing authorized by the public utility district must only be used for conservation purposes in existing structures.
Eligible energy conservation measures may include projects that allow a customer of a public utility district to generate all or a portion of their own electricity through the on-site distributed electricity generation system that uses as its fuel solar, wind, geothermal, or hydropower, or other renewable resource that is available on-site and not from a commercial source.
Customers pay back their loans to a public utility district through incremental additions to their utility bill. The pay back period for energy conservation loans cannot exceed 120 months.
Financing of Energy Conservation by Irrigation Districts.
Under current Washington law and within limits established by the state Constitution, irrigation districts engaged in the distribution of energy are authorized to assist the owners of residential structures in financing the acquisition and installation of materials and equipment for the conservation or more efficient use of energy.
Owners of residential structures pay back their loans to the irrigation district through incremental additions to their utility bill. The pay back period for energy conservation loans cannot exceed 120 months.
Summary of Bill:
The pay back period for energy conservation loans provided by a public utility district or an irrigation district is extended from 120 months to 240 months.
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.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill is important in that we are trying to bring back an economic recovery through the development of clean energy technologies and address climate change.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Chase, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.