(1) The energy freedom account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from appropriations made to the account and any loan payments of principal and interest derived from loans made under the energy freedom account must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for financial assistance for further funding for projects consistent with this chapter or otherwise authorized by the legislature. During the 2015-2017 fiscal biennium, the legislature may appropriate moneys from the account to fund the state energy office in the department of commerce.

(2) The green energy incentive account is created in the state treasury as a subaccount of the energy freedom account. All receipts from appropriations made to the green energy incentive account shall be deposited into the account, and may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for:

(a) Refueling projects awarded under this chapter;

(b) Pilot projects for plug-in hybrids, including grants provided for the electrification program set forth in RCW 43.325.110; and

(c) Demonstration projects developed with state universities as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 and local governments that result in the design and building of a hydrogen vehicle fueling station.

(3)(a) The energy recovery act account is created in the state treasury. State and federal funds may be deposited into the account and any loan payments of principal and interest derived from loans made from the energy recovery act account must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation.

(b) Expenditures from the account may be used only for loans, loan guarantees, and grants that encourage the establishment of innovative and sustainable industries for renewable energy and energy efficiency technology, including but not limited to:

(i) Renewable energy projects or programs that require interim financing to complete project development and implementation;

(ii) Companies with innovative, near-commercial or commercial, clean energy technology; and

(iii) Energy efficiency technologies that have a viable repayment stream from reduced utility costs.

(c) The director shall establish policies and procedures for processing, reviewing, and approving applications for funding under this section. When developing these policies and procedures, the department must consider the clean energy leadership strategy developed under section 2, chapter 318, Laws of 2009.

(d) The director shall enter into agreements with approved applicants to fix the term and rates of funding provided from this account.

(e) The policies and procedures of this subsection (3) do not apply to assistance awarded for projects under RCW 43.325.020(3).

(4) Any state agency receiving funding from the energy freedom account is prohibited from retaining greater than three percent of any funding provided from the energy freedom account for administrative overhead or other deductions not directly associated with conducting the research, projects, or other end products that the funding is designed to produce unless this provision is waived in writing by the director.

(5) Any university, institute, or other entity that is not a state agency receiving funding from the energy freedom account is prohibited from retaining greater than fifteen percent of any funding provided from the energy freedom account for administrative overhead or other deductions not directly associated with conducting the research, projects, or other end products that the funding is designed to produce.

(6) Subsections (2), (4), and (5) of this section do not apply to assistance awarded for projects under RCW 43.325.020(3).

(7) During the 2013-2015 and 2015-2017 fiscal biennia, the legislature may transfer from the energy freedom account to the state general fund such amounts as reflect the excess fund balance of the account.

[2015 3rd sp.s. c 4 § 961; 2013 2nd sp.s. c 4 § 984. Prior: 2009 c 564 § 942; 2009 c 451 § 5; 2007 c 348 § 305; 2006 c 371 § 223; 2006 c 171 § 6. Formerly RCW 15.110.050.]

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