H-1633              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1026

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Todd, Jacobsen and Nelson

Read first time 2/19/87 and referred to Committee on Energy & Utilities.

AN ACT Relating to a new hydroelectric development study; creating new sections; and making an appropriation.

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 department of ecology, the parks and recreation commission, the utilities and transportation commission, and the energy facilities site evaluation council; 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.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The institute for public policy located at The Evergreen State College shall conduct a study to:

          (1) Analyze the federal power act and amendments thereto, including the electric consumers protection act of 1986, to assess the authorities, responsibilities, and opportunities for the state regarding the siting, licensing, and conditioning of hydroelectric projects.  This analysis should place special emphasis on section 10(a) of the federal power act which requires hydroelectric development to be consistent with comprehensive plans developed by state agencies;

          (2) Review and evaluate the recommendations that emerge from the activities listed in subsection (1) of this section and identify mechanisms to coordinate and enforce proposals that address hydroelectric development in the state;

          (3) Review and evaluate existing statutes and agency mandates affecting hydroelectric development;

          (4) Review and evaluate programs of other states, most notably Maine and Oregon, designed to deal with hydroelectric development; and

          (5) Coordinate with state agencies and the northwest power planning council to develop a process for determining the need for new hydroelectric resources in Washington.

          The study shall begin not later than September 1, 1987, and conclude not later than January 30, 1988, 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 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.