BILL REQ. #:  S-1295.1 

Read first time 02/11/13.   Referred to Committee on Energy, Environment & Telecommunications.

     AN ACT Relating to a pilot program to demonstrate the feasibility of using densified biomass to heat public schools; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature makes the following findings:
     (1) That manufactured and direct thermal conversion of densified biomass is a renewable energy activity;
     (2) That much of western Europe, China, Japan, and other Asian countries have chosen to use renewable densified biomass as a renewable energy fuel to heat homes, businesses, and other facilities;
     (3) That clean burning, renewable densified biomass will: (a) Lead our country to energy independence; (b) create jobs; (c) stimulate our economy by keeping more of our money circulating in the United States; (d) reduce carbon emissions; (e) improve air quality in noncompliant air sheds; (f) promote healthy forests; and (g) reduce the volume of waste in landfills; that the densified biomass industry will be complimentary to other biofuel industries, providing an outlet and use for the resultant high lignin by-products and agriculture residuals; and
     (4) That a December 2012 report by the Washington State University energy program identified opportunities to develop and expand the in-state manufacturing of densified biomass.
     Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to have the Washington State University energy program conduct a pilot program to demonstrate the feasibility of using densified biomass as a renewable energy source to heat schools and other buildings.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) By December 1, 2013, the Washington State University energy program must develop and initiate a pilot program to demonstrate the feasibility of using densified biomass to heat public schools. One public school must be chosen for the pilot program, using the following criteria: The school's proximity to a currently operating densified biomass manufacturing facility, the age and condition of the school's current heating system, and the school's design is of a nature that most resembles other schools of its class. The pilot program must consist of the following: The replacement of the school's current heating system with one that uses densified biomass as a fuel; the measurement and evaluation of the heating system, including a cost comparison with other conventional fuels; and the measurement of emissions from the heating system.
     (2) By December 31, 2015, the Washington State University energy program must summarize and report its findings to the legislature. The report must include an analysis extrapolating the results to other similarly situated schools in the state.
     (3) In designing the pilot program, the Washington State University energy program must seek to leverage other existing private and federal funding programs and resources.
     (4) The Washington State University energy program may contract with other entities for assistance in implementing the pilot program.
     (5) The pilot program expires December 15, 2015.