| SB 5649-S2.E - DIGEST |
| (DIGEST AS ENACTED) |
Declares that it is the intent of the legislature that financial and technical assistance programs be expanded to direct municipal, state, and federal funds, as well as electric and natural gas utility funding, toward greater achievement of energy efficiency improvements. |
Establishes a policy goal of assisting in weatherizing twenty thousand homes and businesses in the state in each of the next five years. |
Authorizes Washington State University to implement grants for pilot programs that provide community-wide residential and commercial energy efficiency upgrades. |
Requires Washington State University, in consultation with the department of agriculture, to form an interdisciplinary team of agricultural and energy extension agencies. |
Requires the department of community, trade, and economic development to establish a process to award grants to financial institutions. |
Authorizes the department of community, trade, and economic development to create an appliance efficiency rebate program. |
Directs the governor 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 and requires all agencies, councils, or work groups with energy or climate initiatives to coordinate with the person in this designated position. |
| VETO MESSAGE ON E2SSB 5649 |
| May 7, 2009 |
| To the Honorable President and Members, |
| The Senate of the State of Washington |
| Ladies and Gentlemen: |
| I have approved, except for Section 403, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5649 entitled: |
"AN ACT Relating to achieving greater energy efficiency in buildings." |
| Section 403 of the bill requires the Governor to designate a single point of accountability for all energy and climate change initiatives within state agencies. This language duplicates the requirements contained in Substitute Senate Bill 5921, Section 4(1). I signed Substitute Senate Bill 5921 on May 4, 2009. As a result, this provision is not needed and I have vetoed Section 403 of Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5649. |
| Some stakeholders have expressed concerns regarding Section 202 of Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5649. Section 202 of the bill establishes new employment and reporting requirements for the state's existing low income weatherization program. It will be important to implement these new requirements in a manner that allows the local community action agencies and their funding sponsors to comply efficiently and effectively with the new requirements. To that end, I will direct the Department of Commerce to prepare administrative rules immediately to address the interpretation of the new requirements. |
| With the exception of Section 403, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5649 is approved. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| Christine O. Gregoire |
| Governor |