BILL REQ. #:  S-3717.1 

Read first time 01/19/2004.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water.

     AN ACT Relating to electrification projects to reduce air pollution in environmentally hazardous or sensitive areas; adding new sections to chapter 70.94 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature recognizes that the air quality around idling heavy duty diesel vehicles and large vessels can contribute to unhealthy conditions. Idling vehicles not only consume up to one billion gallons of diesel fuel a year, but also contribute to air pollution by releasing volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates. Likewise, large vessels contribute to the degradation of the local air quality when they idle their engines in port. Additionally, in the case of idling vehicles, the legislature recognizes that they contribute to driver fatigue through exposure to noise, vibration, and elevated levels of carbon monoxide and other pollutants.
     The state can assist in the reduction of idling vehicles and vessels by providing infrastructure to support the use of auxiliary power through a system of stand-alone and on-board electrification projects.
     The legislature intends to provide assistance to owners and operators of heavy duty diesel vehicles and large vessels which contribute to areas of concentrated air pollution when operating their engines while in stationary positions such as truck stops and ports. The assistance will take the form of providing infrastructure to support the electrification of these facilities and seeking federal assistance to aid the owners and operators of vehicles and vessels to modify their equipment to accept auxiliary power when stationary.
     The legislature intends to support the initial electrification projects in areas where the current conditions are especially harmful to human health and where the emissions are generated in environmentally sensitive areas.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 70.94 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall develop, in consultation with local air authorities, the department of transportation, and the Washington public ports association, a list of prioritized sites where stand-alone electrification projects should be initiated for heavy duty diesel vehicles. The sites shall be selected in areas where these vehicles commonly operate their engines, while stationary, for lengthy periods of time.
     (2) In developing the list of stand-alone electrification projects, the following factors shall be considered, in the priority listed:
     (a) Cost-effectiveness of the site in terms of the estimated amount of pollution prevented for the estimated amount of funding necessary to complete the project;
     (b) Existing truck stops where the greatest hazards to human health are suspected;
     (c) Areas designated by the environmental protection agency as in nonattainment for any air pollutant, former nonattainment areas, or areas at risk of receiving a nonattainment designation;
     (d) Existing idling locations located in known environmentally sensitive areas;
     (e) The estimated amount of fuel conserved by the proposed project;
     (f) The estimated amount of noise reduction in urban settings; and
     (g) Sites suitable for colocating a renewable energy project as the energy source.
     (3) The prioritized list of potential electrification projects shall be submitted to the appropriate committees of the legislature and the governor by December 15, 2004. The list may be updated as the department deems appropriate.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 70.94 RCW to read as follows:
     The department shall initiate, by January 1, 2005, a request for proposal process to build a stand-alone electrification project at the highest priority site identified under the provisions of section 2 of this act. The department shall initiate additional stand-alone projects based upon the funding available under section 5 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 70.94 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) In order to provide the legislature with additional information on cost and benefits of additional electrification projects, the department shall conduct a study regarding the development of on-board electrification projects for heavy duty diesel vehicles, ports, airports, or railyards.
     (2) In conducting the study, the department shall consider and identify:
     (a) The cost-effectiveness of each type of project in terms of the estimated amount of pollution prevented for the estimated amount of funding necessary to complete the project;
     (b) Which existing areas are suspected to be the greatest hazards to human health;
     (c) The number and location of areas used for idling vehicles and vessels that are located in zones designated by the environmental protection agency as in nonattainment for any air pollutant, former nonattainment areas, or areas at risk of receiving a nonattainment designation;
     (d) Existing locations where frequent heavy duty diesel vehicle and vessel idling occurs in known environmentally sensitive areas;
     (e) The estimated amount of fuel that could be conserved at the different types of projects;
     (f) The types of projects that would have the greatest impact on noise reduction in urban settings; and
     (g) Which types of projects would be most suitable for colocating a renewable energy project as the energy source.
     (3) In conducting the study, the department is not required to conduct any original scientific research. The department shall use existing, available information and shall make reasonable assumptions and estimates as it deems necessary to meet the intent of this section.
     (4) The department shall also include information regarding possible sources for funding for on-board electrification projects, both in terms of the infrastructure and providing assistance to individuals.
     (5) In conducting the study, the department shall involve local air authorities, the department of transportation, the Washington ports association, and may include individuals representing trucking, truck stop, airport, maritime, and railway organizations and businesses, and environmental and public health organizations.
     (6) The results of the study shall be submitted to the appropriate committees of the legislature and the governor by October 15, 2005.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A new section is added to chapter 70.94 RCW to read as follows:
     The department shall seek financial assistance from federal and nonstate sources to fund stand-alone and on-board electrification infrastructure projects, and to assist owners and operators of heavy duty diesel vehicles and large vessels to modify their on-board equipment to accept auxiliary power when stationary.
     The department shall also develop a state funding strategy for construction of additional stand-alone projects on the priority list developed under section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   A new section is added to chapter 70.94 RCW to read as follows:
     For the purposes of sections 2 through 5 of this act, the following words shall have the following meanings:
     (1) "Heavy duty diesel vehicles" means any diesel vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating over fourteen thousand pounds;
     (2) "Large vessel" means a tank vessel, cargo vessel, or passenger vessel as those terms are defined in RCW 88.40.011;
     (3) "On-board electrification projects" means systems that require the truck or vessel to be equipped with the necessary components to accept electrical power, including inverters, heat and air systems capable of being powered by electricity, and hardware to plug into an electrical outlet; and
     (4) "Stand-alone electrification projects" means an independent system that supplies the vehicle's needs for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning without modification to the vehicle.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   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 May 1, 2004.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   This act expires June 30, 2014.