BILL REQ. #:  S-3724.1 

Read first time 01/14/10.   Referred to Committee on Environment, Water & Energy.

     AN ACT Relating to Washington state's energy strategy; amending RCW 43.21F.010 and 43.21F.090; adding a new section to chapter 43.21F RCW; and repealing RCW 43.21F.015 and 43.21F.055.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 43.21F.010 and 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 108 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The legislature finds that energy drives the entire modern economy from petroleum for vehicles to electricity to light homes and businesses. The legislature further finds that the state's dependence on fossil fuels is both an economic and environmental liability, as the citizens of Washington spend significant resources on the import of fossil fuels that are subject to volatile prices because of finite resources and growing world demand, and fossil fuel combustion is the single biggest human source of greenhouse gas emissions in Washington state. The legislature further finds that the nation and the world have started the transition to a clean energy economy, with massive improvements in energy efficiency and investments in new clean and renewable energy resources and technologies.
     (2) The legislature finds and declares that it is the continuing purpose of state government, consistent with other essential considerations of state policy, to foster wise and efficient energy use and to promote energy self-sufficiency through the use of indigenous and renewable energy sources, consistent with the promotion of reliable energy sources, the general welfare, and the protection of environmental quality.
     (3) The legislature further declares that the goals of the state's energy strategy are to:
     (a) Increase competitiveness and economic security by reducing fossil fuel imports;
     (b) Develop a clean energy economy and jobs through business and workforce development;
     (c) Meet the state's obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
     (d) Maintain competitive energy prices that have been an instrumental part of our state's economic success to date.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.21F RCW to read as follows:
     To meet the state energy strategy goals as specified in RCW 43.21F.010, it is the policy of the state of Washington to:
     (1) Pursue energy efficiency and conservation as the state's preferred energy resource;
     (2) Ensure that the state's energy system meets the health, welfare, and economic needs of its citizens with particular emphasis on meeting the needs of low-income and vulnerable populations;
     (3) Reduce dependence on fossil fuel energy sources through improved efficiency and development of clean energy sources;
     (4) Improve transportation energy use through increased vehicle and system efficiencies, development of electricity, biofuels, and other clean fuels, and land use policies that provide improved transportation choices;
     (5) Meet the state's statutory climate change goals and targets and other environmental requirements as the state develops and uses energy resources;
     (6) Maintain and enhance economic competitiveness by supporting clean energy technology innovation, access to clean energy markets worldwide, and clean energy business and workforce development;
     (7) Build on the advantage provided by the state's clean regional electrical grid by expanding and integrating additional carbon-free generation and improving the state's transmission capacity;
     (8) Make state government a model for energy efficiency, use of clean and renewable energy, and greenhouse gas-neutral operations;
     (9) During energy shortage emergencies, give priority in the allocation of energy resources to maintaining the public health, safety, and welfare of the state's citizens and industry in order to minimize adverse impacts on their physical, social, and economic well-being;
     (10) Develop and disseminate impartial and objective energy information and analysis, while taking full advantage of the capabilities of the state's institutions of higher education;
     (11) Actively seek to maximize federal and other nonstate funding and support to the state for energy efficiency, renewable energy, emerging energy technologies, and other activities of benefit to the state's overall energy future; and
     (12) Establish a state energy strategy that provides primary guidance for implementation of the state's energy policy.

Sec. 3   RCW 43.21F.090 and 1996 c 186 s 106 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department of commerce shall review the state energy strategy as developed under section 1, chapter 201, Laws of 1991, periodically with the guidance of an advisory committee. For each review, an advisory committee shall be established with a membership resembling as closely as possible the original energy strategy advisory committee specified under section 1, chapter 201, Laws of 1991. Upon completion of a public hearing regarding the advisory committee's advice and recommendations for revisions to the energy strategy, a written report shall be conveyed by the department to the governor and the appropriate legislative committees. Any advisory committee established under this section shall be dissolved within three months after their written report is conveyed.
     (2) By December 1, 2010, and every five years thereafter, the department of commerce shall produce a fully updated and revised state energy strategy and implementation report. The strategy shall, to the maximum extent feasible, examine the state's entire energy system and provide specific recommendations for both further development of state analytical capabilities and policies as well as implementation recommendations to the governor and legislature. As part of the development of the strategy, the department shall convene a state energy strategy committee, as provided in this section, and shall also engage key public agencies and interested stakeholders. In addition, the department shall review related processes and documents relevant to a state energy strategy including but not limited to the work of the clean energy leadership council, the climate advisory and action teams, the evergreen jobs committee, and the northwest power and conservation council.
     (3) To assist in updates of the state energy strategy, the department of commerce shall actively seek both in-kind and financial support for this process from the United States department of energy and its national laboratories, other public agencies, private sector entities, foundations, and other energy organizations. The department of commerce shall develop a work plan for update of the strategy that reflects the levels of activities and deliverables commensurate with the level of funding and in-kind support available from state and nonstate sources.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:
     (1) RCW 43.21F.015 (State policy) and 1994 c 207 s 3 & 1981 c 295 s 1; and
     (2) RCW 43.21F.055 (Intervention in certain regulatory proceedings prohibited -- Application to energy facility site evaluation council--Avoidance of duplication of activity) and 1996 c 186 s 104 & 1981 c 295 s 5.