[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to emergency energy authority; amending RCW 43.21G.040; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that in times of an energy supply emergency, regulatory flexibility is essential to properly address public health and safety. The legislature further finds that removing electrical output restrictions on existing facilities in times of emergent need is also a critical tool necessary to enable the state to properly respond to short-term supply and demand imbalances. The legislature further finds that expedient processing of permits for new sources of energy supply are necessary to allow supply to match demand in the longer term. Therefore, the legislature declares that the energy emergency duties of the governor enumerated in chapter 43.21G RCW must be expanded to include the ability to suspend electrical output restrictions on generating facilities in times of emergency.

Sec. 2. RCW 43.21G.040 and 1987 c 505 s 83 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The governor may subject to the definitions and limitations provided in this chapter:

(a) Upon finding that an energy supply alert exists within this state or any part thereof, declare a condition of energy supply alert; or

(b) Upon finding that an energy emergency exists within this state or any part thereof, declare a condition of energy emergency. A condition of energy emergency shall terminate thirty consecutive days after the declaration of such condition if the legislature is not in session at the time of such declaration and if the governor fails to convene the legislature pursuant to Article III, section 7 of the state Constitution ((~~of the state of Washington~~)) within thirty consecutive days of such declaration. If the legislature is in session or convened, in accordance with this subsection, the duration of the condition of energy emergency shall be limited in accordance with subsection (3) of this section.

Upon the declaration of a condition of energy supply alert or energy emergency, the governor shall present to the committee any proposed plans for programs, controls, standards, and priorities for the production, allocation, and consumption of energy during any current or anticipated condition of energy emergency, any proposed plans for the suspension or modification of existing rules of the Washington Administrative Code, and any other relevant matters the governor deems desirable. The governor shall review any recommendations of the committee concerning such plans and matters.

Upon the declaration of a condition of energy supply alert or energy emergency, the emergency powers as set forth in this chapter shall become effective only within the area described in the declaration.

(2) A condition of energy supply alert shall terminate ninety consecutive days after the declaration of such condition unless:

(a) Extended by the governor upon issuing a finding that the energy supply alert continues to exist, and with prior approval of such an extension by the committee; or

(b) Extended by the governor based on a declaration by the president of the United States of a national state of emergency in regard to energy supply; or

(c) Upon the request of the governor, extended by declaration of the legislature by concurrent resolution of a continuing energy supply alert.

In the event any such initial extension is implemented, the condition shall terminate one hundred ((~~and~~)) fifty consecutive days after the declaration of such condition. One or more subsequent extensions may be implemented through the extension procedures set forth in this subsection. In the event any such subsequent extension is implemented, the condition shall terminate sixty consecutive days after the implementation of such extension.

(3) A condition of energy emergency shall terminate forty-five consecutive days after the declaration of such condition unless:

(a) Extended by the governor upon issuing a finding that the energy emergency continues to exist, and with prior approval of such an extension by the committee; or

(b) Extended by the governor based on a declaration by the president of the United States of a national state of emergency in regard to energy supply; or

(c) Upon the request of the governor, extended by declaration of the legislature by concurrent resolution of a continuing energy emergency.

In the event any such initial extension is implemented, the condition shall terminate ninety consecutive days after the declaration of such condition. One or more subsequent extensions may be implemented through the extension procedures set forth in this subsection. In the event any such subsequent extension is implemented, the condition shall terminate forty-five consecutive days after the implementation of such extension.

(4) A condition of energy supply alert or energy emergency shall cease to exist upon a declaration to that effect by either of the following: (a) The governor; or (b) the legislature, by concurrent resolution, if in regular or special session: PROVIDED, That the governor shall terminate a condition of energy supply alert or energy emergency when the energy supply situation upon which the declaration of a condition of energy supply alert or energy emergency was based no longer exists.

(5) In a condition of energy supply alert, the governor may, as deemed necessary to preserve and protect the public health, safety, and general welfare, and to minimize, to the fullest extent possible, the injurious economic, social, and environmental consequences of such energy supply alert, issue orders to: (a) Suspend or modify existing rules of the Washington Administrative Code of any state agency relating to the consumption of energy by such agency or to the production of energy((~~, and~~)); (b) direct any state or local governmental agency to implement programs relating to the consumption of energy by the agency which have been developed by the governor or the agency and reviewed by the committee; and (c) suspend or modify, or both, the provisions, including air quality standards, of any existing site certification agreement limiting the electrical output of an energy facility, as defined in RCW 80.50.020.

(6) In addition to the powers in subsection (5) of this section, in a condition of energy emergency, the governor may, as deemed necessary to preserve and protect the public health, safety, and general welfare, and to minimize, to the fullest extent possible, the injurious economic, social, and environmental consequences of such an emergency, issue orders to: (a) Implement programs, controls, standards, and priorities for the production, allocation, and consumption of energy; (b) suspend and modify existing pollution control standards and requirements or any other standards or requirements affecting or affected by the use of energy, including those relating to air or water quality control; and (c) establish and implement regional programs and agreements for the purposes of coordinating the energy programs and actions of the state with those of the federal government and of other states and localities.

The governor shall immediately transmit the declaration of a condition of energy supply alert or energy emergency and the findings upon which the declaration is based and any orders issued under the powers granted in this chapter to the committee.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to mean that any program, control, standard, priority, or other policy created under the authority of the emergency powers authorized by this chapter shall have any continuing legal effect after the cessation of the condition of energy supply alert or energy emergency.

If any provision of this chapter is in conflict with any other provision, limitation, or restriction which is now in effect under any other law of this state, including, but not limited to, chapter 34.05 RCW, this chapter shall govern and control, and such other law or rule ((~~or regulation promulgated~~)) adopted thereunder shall be deemed superseded for the purposes of this chapter.

Because of the emergency nature of this chapter, all actions authorized or required hereunder, or taken pursuant to any order issued by the governor, shall be exempted from any and all requirements and provisions of the state environmental policy act of 1971, chapter 43.21C RCW, including, but not limited to, the requirement for environmental impact statements.

Except as provided in this section, nothing in this chapter shall exempt a person from compliance with the provisions of any other law, rule, or directive unless specifically ordered by the governor.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.