Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Technology, Energy & Communications Committee |
HB 2664
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning the voluntary option to purchase qualified energy resources.
Sponsors: Representative Morris.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/27/12
Staff: Scott Richards (786-7156).
Background:
Electric utility must provide to its retail electricity customers a voluntary option to purchase qualified alternative energy resources. On at least a quarterly basis, electric utilities must include with its retail customers regular billing statement a voluntary option to purchase qualified alternative energy resources. A utility may provide qualified alternative energy resource options through either resources it owns or contracts for, or the purchase of credits issued by a clearinghouse, or other system.
Qualified alternative energy resource is defined to mean the electricity produced from generation facilities that are fueled by: (a) wind; (b) solar energy; (c) geothermal energy; (d) landfill gas; (e) wave or tidal action; (f) gas produced during the treatment of wastewater; (g) qualified hydropower; or (h) biomass energy based on animal waste or solid organic fuels from wood, forest, or field residues, or dedicated energy crops that do not include wood pieces that have been treated with chemical preservatives such as creosote, pentachlorophenol, or copper-chrome-arsenic.
Summary of Bill:
The definition of "qualified alternative energy resource" is revised to include thermal energy produced from certain generation facilities.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.