2326-S AMH .... H4424.1

SHB 2326 - H AMD Adopted 02-16-04 0199

By Representative

    Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature makes the following findings:

    (1) A vast and growing body of research and information about changes to our global, national, and regional climates is being produced by a variety of sources.

    (2) Much of this research and information holds important value in helping scientists, citizens, businesses, and public policymakers understand how Washington may be affected by these changes.

    (3) It is in the public interest to support efforts to promote discussion and understanding of the potential effects of climate change on Washington's water supply, agriculture, natural resources, coastal infrastructure, public health, and economy, and to encourage the formulation of sound recommendations for avoiding, mitigating, and responding to those effects.

    (4) The state should support the establishment of a central clearinghouse to serve as an impartial, unbiased source of credible and reliable information about climate change for the public.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  The definitions in this section apply throughout sections 3 through 5 of this act unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

    (1) "Center" means the Washington climate and rural energy development center.

    (2) "Clean energy activities" means: (a) Activities related to renewable resources including electricity generation facilities fueled by water, wind, solar energy, geothermal energy, landfill gas, or bioenergy; (b) programs and industries promoting research, development, or commercialization of fuel cells and qualified alternative energy resources as defined in RCW 19.29A.090; (c) energy efficiency measures or technologies; and (d) technologies designed to significantly reduce the use of or emissions from motor vehicle fuels.

    (3) "Climate change" means a change of climate attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The legislature authorizes the establishment of the Washington climate and rural energy development center in the Washington State University energy program to serve as a central, nonregulatory clearinghouse of credible and reliable information addressing various aspects of climate change and clean energy activities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  The center shall be funded through grants, and voluntary monetary and in-kind contributions.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.  (1) The duties of the center may include, but are not limited to:

    (a) Collecting and sharing scientific and technological data related to climate change;

    (b) Collecting and sharing information which could be used on a voluntary basis to respond to potential climate change impacts should they occur;

    (c) Collecting and sharing information about clean energy activities in the rural areas of the state, including information about state resources available for developing such clean energy opportunities;

    (d) Advising relevant sectors of prospective commercial opportunities;

    (e) Studying and advising the legislature on the potential:  (i) Impacts of climate change in the state; and (ii) effects of early action by the state, before action by the federal government or other state governments, on the state's competitive position with respect to other states;

    (f) Accomplishing any other duty assigned to it by the legislature for which adequate funding is provided; and

    (g) Providing a biennial report to the governor and the appropriate legislative committees by December 31st regarding its operations.

    (2) The center shall, within available funds, also:

    (a) Identify key sectors within the state likely to be affected adversely by climate change;

    (b) Examine and report the feasibility of a carbon storage program for the state by:

    (i) Evaluating other states' and nations' attempts to establish carbon credit programs, carbon storage programs, carbon storage requirements worldwide, and methods and scientific programs that are used to implement carbon storage programs;

    (ii) Analyzing other programs in the state of Washington, including the conservation reserve enhancement program, that could facilitate a carbon storage program and a stable carbon storage market;

    (iii) Analyzing methods to encourage and increase appropriate carbon storage activities; and

    (iv) Developing and preparing appropriate legislative responses and recommendations; and

    (c) Publicize mitigation projects and efforts to address climate change that include evaluations of whether those efforts were deemed to be successful.

    (3) The following agencies and programs will work with the center to assist with the duties under this section:  The department of community, trade, and economic development, the department of ecology, the department of transportation, the department of health, the department of fish and wildlife, the department of agriculture, the department of natural resources, and the Washington State University energy program.

    (4) The legislature may appoint one member from each legislative caucus to serve on a legislative oversight committee for the center.

    (5) The center shall establish task forces and technical advisory committees, balanced in representation and composed of state and local agencies and interested elected leaders, businesses, labor groups, timber industry groups, agricultural groups, nonprofit organizations, university and college programs, and citizens as necessary to assist in the duties in this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.  This act takes effect July 1, 2002.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7.  Sections 2 through 5 of this act are each added to chapter 28B.30 RCW."

    Correct the title.

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