BILL REQ. #:  S-0537.2 

Read first time 01/16/2007.   Referred to Committee on Water, Energy & Telecommunications.

     AN ACT Relating to renewable energy; adding a new section to chapter 43.19 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The use of renewable energy provides a number of benefits, including increased energy diversity and security, reduction in the effects of greenhouse gases, and economic development opportunities. The legislature declares, therefore, it is in the best interests of the citizens of the state to encourage the development and use of renewable energy.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.19 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Each state agency that is a retail electric customer shall use eligible renewable resources or acquire and retire equivalent renewable energy credits, or a combination of both, to meet the following electricity consumption targets:
     (a) That the eligible renewable resource percentage of total annual electric usage is at least twenty-five percent in fiscal year 2009;
     (b) That the eligible renewable resource percentage of total annual electric usage is at least fifty percent in fiscal years 2010 through 2011;
     (c) That the eligible renewable resource percentage of total annual electric usage is at least seventy-five percent in fiscal years 2012 through 2013; and
     (d) That the eligible renewable resource percentage of total annual electric usage is at least one hundred percent in fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal year thereafter.
     (2) In meeting the targets, state agencies may include any eligible renewable resource provided by their serving electric utility's load as documented by the most recent reports submitted to the department of community, trade, and economic development under chapter 19.29A or 19.285 RCW.
     (3) The department of general administration shall survey and report the efforts of state agencies in meeting the targets. The first report is due to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature in December 2009 and every year thereafter.
     (4) Subject to availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department is authorized to negotiate and purchase on behalf of state agencies renewable energy credits. The department shall retire any renewable energy credit purchased to satisfy a target.
     (5) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (a) "Eligible renewable resource" has the same meaning as in RCW 19.285.030.
     (b) "Renewable energy credit" has the same meaning as in RCW 19.285.030.
     (c) "State agency" means any state board, commission, bureau, committee, department, institution, division, or tribunal in the legislative, executive, or judicial branch of state government, and includes all elective offices, the state legislature, those institutions of higher education created and supported by state government, and those courts that are fully supported by state government. It does not include political subdivisions; units of local government; superior, district, and municipal courts; school districts; municipal corporations; quasi-municipal corporations; special purpose districts; or local service districts.