BILL REQ. #: S-3877.1

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SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5991
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State of Washington

63rd Legislature

2014 Regular Session

By Senate Energy, Environment & Telecommunications (originally sponsored by Senators Ericksen, Sheldon, Hewitt, Brown, Mullet, Honeyford, and Benton)

READ FIRST TIME 01/22/14.

AN ACT Relating to studying nuclear power as a replacement for electricity generated from the combustion of fossil fuels; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 The legislature finds that nuclear power is a safe, reliable, cost-effective, and carbon-free source of electricity. Accordingly, the legislature intends that nuclear power should be studied as a possible replacement for electricity consumed in the region that is generated from the combustion of fossil fuels.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) A joint select task force on nuclear energy is created to study how the state can advance and support the generation of clean energy in the region through the use of nuclear power. The task force must report any findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2014.
     (2) In its deliberations, the task force must consider the greatest amount of environmental benefit for each dollar spent based on the life-cycle cost of any nuclear power technology. Life-cycle costs must include the storage and disposal of any nuclear wastes.
     (3) The task force must consist of eight members that serve on the legislative standing committees with primary jurisdiction over energy issues. The president of the senate shall appoint two members from the majority caucus and two members from the minority caucus. The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint two members from each caucus.
     (4) The members of the task force shall select from among their members a chair and other officers as the task force deems appropriate.
     (5) The task force must hold no more than four meetings, with two of those meetings in Richland, Washington.
     (6) The task force must be staffed by senate committee services and the office of program research. All expenses and hiring of additional staff shall be subject to the approval of the senate facilities and operations committee and the house of representatives executive rules committee.
     (7) The task force terminates December 15, 2014.

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