BILL REQ. #:  H-1080.1 

Read first time 01/28/09.   Referred to Committee on Education Appropriations.

     AN ACT Relating to developing a program to allow Washington to be a leader in the conversion of plug-in hybrid vehicles; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that an expansion of the use of plug-in hybrid vehicles can play an important role in development of a green economy and carbon reduction planning. Plug-in vehicles not only dramatically reduce carbon loading in the atmosphere, but their use also provides electric utilities with the advantages of distributed generation that can be utilized on demand by the utility.
     (2) The legislature further finds that developing local knowledge and training capacity relating to plug-in hybrid vehicles will position Washington within an important emerging marketplace. Investments made in plug-in hybrid vehicle technology, and other technologies relating to green energy and carbon emissions reductions, will help Washington build a strong and vibrant economic sector prepared to take advantage of current and future green economy opportunities.
     (3) The legislature further finds that Washington's own Shoreline Community College has been recognized as a state community college center for excellence in alternative energy curriculum development. Shoreline Community College is also the principle training center for Toyota dealerships, and is situated in a unique position to leverage its industry contacts with a rapidly growing zero-energy buildings program and become a training center for vehicle-to-grid development.
     (4) The legislature further finds that Shoreline Community College, together with the Washington State University energy program's Northwest solar center, is in the process of developing a prototype solar/vehicle-to-grid charging station as an adjunct to a zero-energy house demonstration and training center on the campus of Shoreline Community College. The prototype charging station, to be developed by students of Shoreline Community College in collaboration with Toyota, will be designed to provide virtually all of the energy necessary to operate plug-in hybrid vehicles. Shoreline Community College intends for the vehicles retrofitted by the program to be first in a series of retrofits to Toyota hybrid cars and other vehicles that can be retrofitted to receive power from the grid.
     (5) The legislature further finds that the program being developed by Shoreline Community College and Washington State University will assist the state in establishing an early leadership position in an important area of technical development. The acquisition of the materials needed for the program, including two hybrid cars, will allow the college to retrofit hybrid cars, sell the converted vehicles, and establish a revolving account within the college that provides ongoing funding resources for the program into the future.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The sum of two hundred thirteen thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, from the general fund to the Shoreline Community College for the purchase of two hybrid vehicles, a charging structure, and hybrid conversion kits. Moneys may also be used for curriculum development and an instructor's salary.