S-1341               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5705

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State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senators Benitz, Bluechel and Nelson

Read first time 2/2/89 and referred to Committee on  Energy & Utilities.

AN ACT Relating to energy facility site location; adding a new section to chapter 80.50 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that the greenhouse effect on the earth's atmosphere with its ensuing global warming may jeopardize the economic framework and the quality of life in this state.  The legislature further finds that increased production of carbon dioxide escalates the greenhouse effect, and that as new facilities are needed to produce energy for the state's economy, consideration must be made of whether these facilities increase emissions of carbon dioxide.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 80.50 RCW to read as follows:

          When considering an application for certification of an energy facility under RCW 80.50.060, the council must consider the extent to which the facility will increase emissions of carbon dioxide.  Each application for certification of a thermal plant must include a plan which sets forth what steps the plant will take to mitigate any increase in carbon dioxide emissions which result from the plant.  The council shall recommend whether such plan is satisfactory.  If the council finds the plan unsatisfactory, the council shall not recommend approval of the application for certification.