SENATE BILL REPORT

2SSB 5174

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Benitz, Williams and Madsen; by request of Washington State Energy Office)

Furthering the state hydropower plan.

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 17, 1989; January 26, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5174 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Benitz, Chairman; Bluechel, Vice Chairman; Metcalf, Owen, Williams.

Senate Staff:Paul Ahern (786-7449)

                  January 27, 1989

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 3, 1989; March 6, 1989

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5174 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Matson, Moore, Niemi, Owen, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Charles Langen (786-7715)

                  March 16, 1989

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 14, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Federal legislation enacted in 1986 offers states increased opportunities to affect hydropower licensing decisions by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).  FERC must consider whether a proposed project is consistent with a comprehensive river plan.

Washington does not have a single comprehensive plan but has a number of management plans for waterways in place or under development.  FERC now reviews proposed projects for consistency with the "Protected Areas" comprehensive plan developed by the Northwest Power Planning Council.

SUMMARY:

Guidelines are established for future development of hydropower.  A comprehensive state hydropower plan is to be prepared by representatives from utilities, state agencies, environmental and sportsmen's groups, and Indian tribes with the assistance of an independent facilitator.  The plan will designate areas where hydropower development is likely to conflict with significant environmental values, and less sensitive areas where development will not conflict with or may enhance environmental values.  These areas of agreement are integrated with existing state laws and programs.

The plan shall be coordinated with planning processes and activities developed by the Joint Select Committee on Water Resource Policy.

The bill is null and void if the appropriations act does not provide specific funding.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: ENERGY & UTILITIES:  Lynn Best, Seattle City Light; Joe Slepski, Trout Unlimited; Tom Mortimer, Washington PUD Association; Ron Newbry, Pacific Power; Michael Rossatto, Friends of the Earth; Roger Harpel

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  Ted Bottiger, Northwest Power Planning Council; Jeff Weber, Washington State Energy Office