H-1945              _______________________________________________

                                          SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1026

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By House Committee on Energy & Utilities (originally sponsored by Representatives Todd, Jacobsen and Nelson)

Read first time 3/6/87 and passed to Committee on Rules.

AN ACT Relating to a new hydroelectric development study; creating new sections; making an appropriation; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that:

          (1) Hydropower development undertaken in the absence of a need for power or adequate siting requirements may result in adverse impacts on nonpower resources and may not serve the public interest;

          (2) Recent amendments to the federal power act in P.L. 99-495 give the states new authorities and responsibilities regarding the siting and licensing of hydroelectric projects;

          (3) Several state agencies are currently engaged in activities that may affect hydroelectric development in Washington including the departments of ecology, fisheries, game, and natural resources, the Washington state energy office, the parks and recreation commission, and the utilities and transportation commission; and

          (4) The state could benefit from better coordination of the efforts of these state agencies and be in a better position to impact the federal hydroelectric siting and licensing process by representing the state in federal energy regulatory commission proceedings.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The institute for public policy located at The Evergreen State College, in consultation with the departments of ecology, fisheries, game, and natural resources, the Washington state energy office, Indian tribes, the state parks and recreation commission, and other interested groups shall conduct a study to:

          (1) Assess the authorities, responsibilities, and opportunities for the state regarding the siting, licensing, and conditioning of hydroelectric projects, including section 10(a) of the federal power act which requires hydroelectric development to be consistent with comprehensive plans developed by state agencies;

          (2) Review the activities of state agencies and the northwest power planning council that affect the protection and development of the state's waterways and identify any studies, data bases, plans, or research that could be used in preparation of a comprehensive state plan for the balanced protection and development of the state's waterways;

          (3) Recommend mechanisms to coordinate protection and development of waterways in the state, including mechanisms to efficiently process necessary state permits and mechanisms to facilitate the state's participation in proceedings before the federal energy regulatory commission; and

          (4) Make recommendations regarding the development and adoption of a comprehensive state hydropower plan for the balanced protection and development of the state's waterways.

          The study shall begin not later than July 1, 1987, and conclude not later than December 1, 1987, and shall cost no more than forty thousand dollars.  The study shall result in reports and recommendations to the appropriate subcommittees and committees of the house of representatives and senate, including recommendations for legislation and any necessary appropriations to address the issues identified in this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     The sum of forty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, from the general fund to The Evergreen State College Institute for Public Policy for the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1987.