SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6840

BYSenators Patrick and Benitz

Requiring certification for thermal power plant siting.

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 30, 1990

Senate Staff:Phil Moeller (786-7445)

AS OF JANUARY 30, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Energy Facilities Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) was created as a one-stop licensing body for major energy projects.  In Chapter 80.50 RCW, EFSEC is granted authority to approve siting for electrical generating facilities with a generating capacity of at least 250 megawatts (if stationary) and 50 megawatts (if floating).

Concern has been raised that many proposals for small scale electricity generation may include facilities that escape a thorough analysis of emissions that accompany studies for large generating plants.  Some proposals include using natural gas fired combustion turbines to generate electricity.  These facilities produce gasses which have been linked to accelerating the greenhouse effect.  These facilities also produce a significant amount of noise.

Some suggestions include siting combustion turbines in the Puget Sound region.

SUMMARY:

EFSEC is granted authority over electrical generating facilities that are fueled by natural gas or synthetic fuel gas.  An application for certification for these facilities is to be submitted 24 months prior to construction and is to include a plan to mitigate the emissions and noise generated by the facility.

When EFSEC contracts for an independent consultant study for these facilities, the study shall include an analysis of the proposed mitigation plan for emissions, the proposed mitigation plan for noise, and an analysis of the potential impact from the facility on local supply and various local uses of the natural gas or synthetic fuel gas.

Any certification agreement for these facilities must be renewed every five years and must be conditioned on a satisfactory analysis of the mitigation plan required of the facility.

Technical corrections are made to 80.50.060 RCW.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    none requested