FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5921

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.

C 318 L 09

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Creating a clean energy leadership initiative.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Innovation (originally sponsored by Senators Rockefeller, Pridemore, Ranker, Kline and Kohl-Welles).

Senate Committee on Environment, Water & Energy

Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Innovation

House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications

House Committee on General Government Appropriations

Background: Over the past several years, Washington has begun development of a climate change mitigation strategy. However, clean energy advocates believe that Washington has fallen behind other states in developing clean energy policies, incentives and programs, and making strategic investments that support the development of clean technologies and clean energy companies.

Summary: The Governor and a statewide public-private alliance will appoint and convene the Clean Energy Leadership Council. The Council is to submit an interim clean energy strategy and initial recommendations to the Governor and Legislature by December 1, 2009, and the final clean energy strategy and recommendations by December 1, 2010.

The Department of Community Trade and Economic Development is to consider the clean energy strategy when preparing its application for federal state energy program funding and determining the type and number of projects to fund, and is to consult the Clean Energy Leadership Council prior to awarding federal energy stimulus funding for clean energy projects.

The Governor is to designate an existing full-time equivalent position within state government as the single point of accountability for all energy and climate change initiatives within state agencies. This person will chair the Evergreen Jobs Leadership Team established in E2SHB 2227. The Council will designate one of its members as its representative on the Evergreen Jobs Leadership Team to ensure alignment of efforts.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate

46

1

House

64

33

(House amended)

Senate

32

13

(Senate concurred)

Effective:

May 4, 2009