FINAL BILL REPORT
SHB 1570
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 261 L 11
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Providing notice to the department of defense before siting energy facility projects.
Sponsors: House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications (originally sponsored by Representatives Chandler and Morris).
House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications
Senate Committee on Environment, Water & Energy
Background:
Electrical generating facilities in Washington may sited through local permitting processes or through the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) certification process.
The EFSEC is the permitting and certificating authority for the siting of major energy facilities in Washington. An EFSEC site certification authorizes an applicant to construct and operate an energy facility in lieu of any other permit or document required by any other state agency or subdivision of the state.
The EFSEC's jurisdiction includes the siting of large energy facilities, such as thermal electric power plants with a generating capacity of 350 megawatts or greater. Energy facilities of any size that exclusively use alternative energy resources, such as wind power, may opt-in to the EFSEC review and certification process.
Summary:
Written Notice to the United States Department of Defense.
The EFSEC and local governments must provide written notice to the United States Department of Defense (DOD) when they receive a siting application for an energy plant or alternative energy resource facility if the plant or facility is connected to a transmission line of a nominal voltage of at least 115 kilovolts (kV). The EFSEC must post on its website the appropriate information for contacting the DOD.
Purpose and Contents of the Notice.
The purpose of the written notification is to give the DOD the opportunity to identify potential issues relating to the placement and operations of the plant or facility before an application is approved. The time period set forth by the EFSEC or a local government for receiving comments may not extend the time period for processing the application.
The notification to the DOD must include the following: (1) a description of the proposed plant or facility; (2) the location of the site; (3) the placement of the plant or facility on the site; (4) the date and time by which comments must be received; and (5) contact information for the EFSEC or the local government permitting agency and the applicant.
Votes on Final Passage:
House | 94 | 0 | |
Senate | 45 | 0 | (Senate amended) |
House | 96 | 0 | (House concurred) |
Effective: | July 22, 2011 |