5838 AMH EN CONT 1

SB 5838 - H COMM AMD ADOPTED 4-12-93

By Committee on Energy & Utilities

     On page 1, strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

     "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that meeting future energy demands within the state will require the siting of new generating facilities, renewable resources, transmission facilities, and natural gas pipelines.  The legislature further finds that current siting processes, designed to accommodate large thermal power plants, do not allow efficient development of current energy supply options.  The legislature further finds that a comprehensive review and revision of siting policy is needed to ensure timely development of adequate, environmentally sound energy resources at an affordable cost.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  There is created an energy siting process review committee.  The committee shall review the siting processes currently applicable to energy facilities, including:  (1) Major thermal power plants; (2) natural gas-fired combustion turbines; (3) cogeneration plants; (4) hydroelectric facilities; (5) other renewable resources, including wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass energy; (6) natural gas pipelines; and (7) electric transmission lines.  The committee shall recommend changes to statutes, rules, and policies that will reduce the cost and allow timely siting of new resources while preserving environmental quality, recognizing and ensuring coordination with applicable federal licensing and permitting authorities, promoting energy system reliability, allowing public review and comment, and ensuring an appropriate role for local government.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The energy siting process review committee shall consist of fifteen members, as follows:

     (1) One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate;

     (2) One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

     (3) Eleven members appointed by the governor, representing the following interests:

     (a) One member representing cities;

     (b) One member representing counties;

     (c) One member representing publicly owned electric utilities;

     (d) One member representing investor-owned electric utilities;

     (e) One member representing natural gas local distribution utilities;

     (f) One member representing natural gas pipeline companies;

     (g) One member representing environmental organizations;

     (h) One member representing independent power producers; and

     (i) Three members representing citizens at large.

     Members appointed by the governor shall represent the various geographical regions of the state.

     The chairperson shall be selected by the governor from the citizen members of the committee.

     Members appointed by the governor shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.  Legislative members shall be reimbursed for expenses as provided in RCW 44.04.120.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  The state energy office shall provide staff support to the energy siting process review committee.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.  The energy siting process review committee shall report its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the governor and appropriate standing committees of the legislature no later than December 1, 1993.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.  This act shall expire June 30, 1994."

EFFECT:  The amendment increases the membership of the committee to fifteen by (1) replacing the member representing local governments with one member representing cities and another representing counties, (2) replacing the member representing electric utilities with one member representing publicly-owned electric utilities and another representing privately-owned electric utilities and (3) replacing the member representing natural gas utilities with one member representing local distribution gas utilities and one member representing natural gas pipeline companies.

The amendment clarifies that legislative members are to represent the four caucuses and that gubernatorial appointees are to represent the various geographic regions of the state.

The amendment adds the timely siting, recognition of federal licensing and permitting authorities, and energy system reliability to the list of areas the committee is to study and about which the committee is to submit recommendations.

Technical language is included to clarify payment of travel expenses for committee members.