BILL REQ. #:  S-1776.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/19/09.   

     AN ACT Relating to creating a clean energy leadership initiative; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that Washington is recognized as a leader in sustainability and climate change and has the foundation to become a leader in the clean energy technologies, products, and services that will be required throughout the world to provide reliable reduced emission energy. However, to become a leader, Washington will need to develop policies and strategies to develop new clean energy technologies, attract federal and private investments, attract and grow clean energy companies, and create green jobs.
     The legislature further finds that positioning Washington to be competitive for federal and private sector clean energy investments will require collaboration between Washington's clean energy technology companies, research institutions, national laboratory, and workforce development system to identify our strengths and develop the requisite policies and strategies.
     It is the intent of the legislature to create a clean energy leadership initiative that will set the path to leverage Washington's energy infrastructure and make Washington a hub for clean energy technology and a leader in the creation of green jobs and the development, deployment, and export of clean energy technologies and services.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The office of the governor shall create a clean energy leadership initiative in collaboration with a statewide, public-private alliance focused specifically on growing the clean energy technology sector in Washington state. The clean energy leadership initiative is to be supported by public and private resources including, to the extent available, the resources of the state energy office and Washington State University's energy program. In carrying out the clean energy leadership initiative, the public-private alliance shall appoint and be guided by a clean energy leadership council.
     (2) The clean energy leadership council must develop strategies and recommendations for growing Washington's clean energy sector. The clean energy leadership council consists of not more than fifteen clean energy leaders as follows: Up to ten representatives of companies in the clean energy sector, up to two organizations providing support to clean energy companies, one representative from a public university, one representative from the Pacific Northwest national laboratory, one representative from venture capital firms making investments in clean energy companies, and one representative from professional services firms serving clean energy technology. The clean energy leadership council may appoint such advisory groups as it deems necessary to carry out its work.
     (3) The clean energy leadership council shall:
     (a) Conduct a strategic analysis to identify the clean energy industry segments where Washington can either provide national leadership or become one of the top ten states in that segment. The council shall engage the highest caliber consultants with detailed knowledge of energy markets and other state's operations to conduct the strategic analysis. The strategic analysis must:
     (i) Identify where Washington has a competitive advantage or emerging strength in research, development, or deployment of clean energy solutions;
     (ii) Evaluate Washington's competitiveness in its business environment, including regulatory barriers, as it relates to supporting clean energy projects and companies, compared to other states and regions; and
     (iii) Evaluate Washington's ability to provide national leadership in reducing carbon emissions, developing and deploying utility-scale clean energy applications, and creating exportable products and applications;
     (b) Develop a set of strategic recommendations, including implementation steps and responsible parties for carrying them out. The strategic recommendations must provide direction for positioning each clean energy segment identified to provide national leadership and must include a delineation of clear, specific outcomes for each segment to achieve. The strategic recommendations must include recommendations on:
     (i) Consistent policy frameworks that provide stability to encourage investment through a combination of incentives, regulation, taxation, and use of government purchasing power to build viable markets;
     (ii) The steps necessary for increasing Washington's ability to obtain available federal funds;
     (iii) The development of public-private partnerships that can help grow each sector, including partnerships to facilitate development and deployment of new technologies at scale;
     (iv) Necessary investments in universities;
     (v) Management, entrepreneurial, and emerging business needs;
     (vi) Workforce training requirements;
     (vii) Joint use facilities, demonstration facilities, and signature research centers that are needed for leadership;
     (viii) Market access requirements;
     (ix) Infrastructure needs; and
     (x) Capital and financing requirements;
     (c) Identify an institutional mechanism to foster effective implementation of its recommendations, including organizational structure, staffing, and funding;
     (d) Review investments made by the state energy office, Washington State University's energy program, utilities, and other entities to identify ways to leverage, increase the effectiveness of, or redirect those funds to increase the state's competitiveness in clean energy technology;
     (e) Provide initial recommendations to the governor and legislature on how to procure and leverage federal stimulus funding as soon as feasible;
     (f) Complete its analysis and submit recommendations to the governor and the legislature by December 1, 2009;
     (g) Convene a clean energy summit with the governor and legislative leaders within one month of submitting its analysis and recommendations. The summit's purpose is to engage the public and outline the process for implementing the recommendations.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   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.