HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2957

BYRepresentatives Nelson, Hankins, Jacobsen, H. Myers, Rust, Bennett, Brekke, Sprenkle, Fraser, Pruitt, Jesernig, D. Sommers, Valle, Crane, Wineberry, R. King, P. King, Cole, Jones, Heavey, Rector, Dellwo and Todd

Requiring action be taken to reduce global warming.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Nelson, Chair; H. Myers, Vice Chair; Hankins, Ranking Republican Member; Bennett, Brooks, Cooper, Jacobsen, Jesernig, R. Meyers and Miller.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (2)

      Signed by Representatives May and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Harry Reinert (786-7110)

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Majority Report:  The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass.  (18)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Grant, Vice Chair; H. Sommers, Vice Chair; Belcher, Braddock, Brekke, Dorn, Ebersole, Hine, Inslee, Peery, Rust, Sayan, Spanel, Sprenkle, Valle, Wang and Wineberry.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives Silver, Ranking Republican Member; Youngsman, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Bowman, Doty, Ferguson, May, McLean and Nealey.

House Staff:      Karl Herzog (786-7271)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS FEBRUARY 5, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In the last few years there has been a developing concern about the "greenhouse effect."  There is scientific evidence that shows that the globally-averaged temperature has increased in the past century.  There is concern that if the concentration of greenhouse gases continues to increase, the global temperature could increase even more rapidly.

In 1988, the World Conference on the Changing Atmosphere: Implications for Global Security was held in Toronto.  The Toronto conference identified a number of actions that should be undertaken by government and industry to protect the atmosphere.  One action is to set energy policies to reduce emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.  Another action identified was the establishment of a goal to reduce by 20 percent, by the year 2005, the emission of carbon dioxide.  Another action identified by the conference was to reduce deforestation and to increase afforestation.

The Washington State Energy Office submits to the Legislature every other year a report on energy supply and demand, conservation, and other factors.

The Department of General Administration is responsible for managing state owned and leased buildings.  The Department of Natural Resources has expertise in managing natural resources.

The Energy Facility and Site Evaluation Council, when it receives an application for a new energy facility required to have council approval, is directed to consider the environmental impact of the proposed facility.  The council is also directed to consider the need to provide abundant energy at reasonable cost.

Cities, towns, and counties have authority to establish local improvement districts to build and improve roads, establish water and sewer systems, and make other public improvements or provide other public services.

The State Building Code Council is responsible for adopting a state building code, based on national codes adopted by the Legislature by reference.

There are a number of publicly owned utilities which generate or distribute energy to consumers.  In addition, a number of privately owned utilities, regulated by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, provide the same services.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The Legislature finds that the potential damage from global warming requires immediate action.  The Legislature also finds that the state should take the lead in promoting efforts to reduce this risk.

The Washington State Energy Office is directed to include in its biennial report: an energy study that reviews the state energy policy; an evaluation of all energy sources for availability, efficiency, and financial and environmental costs; analyses of the impacts of global pollutant controls on least cost planning; and three alternatives for the reduction of state-wide production of greenhouse gases.  An interim report is due by December 1, 1990 and a final report by December 1, 1991.

The Department of General Administration, in consultation with the State Energy Office, is directed to study state facilities and vehicles for their contribution to the production of greenhouse gases.  The department is directed to submit a plan to the Legislature to reduce the state's contribution to the greenhouse effect through source control and mitigation.  The survey is to be completed by December 1, 1990.  The plan is to be completed by December 1, 1991.

Every state and local governmental entity in Washington, when developing new facilities, is directed to minimize covering the ground with an impervious material and to retain or replace trees and shrubs to the maximum extent possible.  These entities are also directed to evaluate existing facilities to reduce to the extent possible impervious ground covering.  The Department of Transportation and local governments are directed to establish programs to enhance the scenic and environmental character of new highways and roads. The Department of General Administration and Department of Natural Resources are directed to provide assistance in meeting these directives.

The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council is directed to consider the production of greenhouse gases by any proposed energy project.  The council's responsibility is to assure "adequate", rather than "abundant", energy at the least cost. In evaluating least cost, the council must consider the total cost of producing the energy, controlling pollutants, and disposing of any residues.

Cities, towns, and counties may establish local improvement districts to plant trees and shrubs next to roadways, on parking strips, an in other suitable locations.

The State Building Code Council is directed to adopt standards to be incorporated into the state building code which require new construction to maintain a minimum amount of impervious ground cover and retain trees and shrubs to the maximum extent practicable.  The standards are to be adopted by January 1, 1991 and enforced beginning July 1, 1991.

Entities engaged in the distribution or sale of energy in Washington may provide financial or other assistance for the planting of trees and shrubs that cast shade on residential structures.

The Joint Select Committee on Air Quality is established.  The committee has 15 members representing the House and Senate, business, environmental groups, and transportation interests.  The committee is directed to look at all sources of air emissions, including those from incinerators, vehicles, open burning, and wood stoves.  The committee may also make recommendations to reduce emissions contributing to the greenhouse effect and ozone depletion.  The report of the committee is due by January 18, 1991.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The substitute extends the time for reports by the Energy Office and Department of General Administration.  The substitute encourages planting of shrubs as well as trees.  The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council is directed to specifically consider greenhouse gas production and is to assure adequate rather than sufficient energy.  The Department of Transportation and local government are directed to include environmental enhancement programs in their road building programs.

CHANGES PROPOSED BY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS (SECOND SUBSTITUTE BILL):  The Department of General Administration is directed to report to the Legislature on a plan for the state facility/vehicle survey, including cost estimates, timelines, and alternative approaches to data collection.  The dates by which the State Building Code Council must adopt and enforce building code standards related to ground covering and tree retention are extended.  Language creating the Joint Select Committee on Air Quality is eliminated.

Fiscal Note:      Available (original bill).  Requested February 6, 1990 on Second Substitute Bill.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Energy & Utilities) Bob Olsen, Mason County PUD No. 3; Bruce Wishart, Sierra Club; Anne Robison, League of Women Voters; Jerry Clark, City of Seattle Arborist; Judy Lantor, Audubon Society; Betty Tabbutt, Washington Environmental Council; John Nance, himself; Dick Watson, Washington State Energy Office; and Henry Yates, Seattle City Light.

(Appropriations) Representative Dick Nelson.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Energy & Utilities) No one.

(Appropriations) No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Energy & Utilities) The dangers posed by global warming require that action be taken now.  This bill is a positive step towards remedying what may be a catastrophic problem by making the state government serve as a model for others.

(Appropriations) This bill addresses the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.  The state should serve as a model in reducing the greenhouse effect.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Energy & Utilities) None.

(Appropriations) None.