The Department of Commerce (Commerce) is the lead state agency tasked with enhancing and promoting community and economic vitality in Washington. As the agency responsible for growing the state economy, it supports sector leads in areas such as aerospace, agriculture and food manufacturing, clean technology, information and communication technology, the creative economy, forest products, life sciences and biotechnology, maritime, and the military. Sector leads work closely with the Governor, industry heads, and government leaders to develop strategies to support business growth statewide.
Electrical transmission is the movement of large amounts of high-voltage electricity from power plants to places where it is either used directly, such as by large industries, or to substations where the voltage is reduced and the power is distributed to end users such as homes and businesses. The electrical transmission system combined with power plants, distribution systems, and substations form what is known as the electrical grid. The grid meets society's electricity needs and is what gets the electrical power from its generation to its end use.
Commerce must conduct a study of the employment and workforce education needs of the electrical transmission industry in the state. In doing so, Commerce may contract with a third-party entity familiar with conducting similar studies. The purpose of the study is to:
The study must focus on line workers, line clearance tree trimmers, and substation technicians. In conducting the study, Commerce or a third-party entity may consult with the Employment Security Department, the Department of Labor and Industries, appropriate centers of excellence, higher education institutions, workforce development centers, utilities, and any other appropriate organizations or entities. To avoid duplication of efforts, Commerce or a third-party entity must coordinate with appropriate agencies and conduct a literature review of ongoing or recent studies, data, or research related to the electrical transmission industry workforce.
Commerce must submit a preliminary report to the Legislature by December 1, 2024, that includes the methodology that will be used to conduct the study and demographic data or other information gathered regarding the electrical transmission industry workforce in preparation for the study. A final report is due to the Legislature by November 1, 2025. At a minimum, the final report must include:
By November 1, 2024, Commerce must convene an Electrical Transmission Industry Work Group (Work Group) that meets twice yearly for the purpose of providing advice, developing strategies, and making recommendations on supporting the needs of the electrical transmission industry workforce and the state's climate goals. In collaboration with the Clean Energy Technology Advisory Committee, the Work Group must periodically review the status of electrical transmission workforce issues. The Work Group must also review the preliminary and final report created by Commerce and provide ongoing recommendations regarding the needs and challenges of the industry to the Legislature, state and local agencies, labor, and utilities. The Work Group must consist of eight members, as follows:
The Work Group must select a chair and vice chair from among its membership.
The substitute bill changes the Work Group member representation requirements, requires the Work Group to select a chair and vice chair, and specifies how often the Work Group meets. The substitute bill adds various items to the final report to the Legislature, such as a wider range of industry demographic data and recommendations to attract and retain a more diverse workforce.
(In support) Electrical transmission touches nearly every aspect of our lives. For example, our hospitals need to be powered, our schools need to be resilient, and we need to ensure our family member's insulin is refrigerated and safe. Adequate transmission capacity is needed to connect the new clean energy projects we have created and bring the state's clean energy goals to fruition. Line workers are the people who build and maintain our electrical grid. These workers have made it clear that the study in this bill is needed. Ensuring our workforce is prepared and supported when it comes to transmission is imperative to all of us.
Washington anticipates at least a 21 percent increase in employment growth in electrical power transmission from 2020 to 2030. Work on electrical transmission and distribution systems requires highly skilled and qualified workers with extensive training in order to keep themselves and the public safe, while performing extremely demanding and dangerous work. It's important that the study in this bill focuses on the lead positions in the electrical transmission industry to ensure clear, focused results.
(Opposed) None.
(Other) There is a time-sensitive, critical need to ensure the state has a skilled and sufficient number of line workers, line clearance tree trimmers, and substation technicians to supply energy to meet the state's ambitious climate goals. This bill presents a significant opportunity to address equity by adding demographic data on the electrical transmission workforce to the final report, such as demographics on race, ethnicity, and gender. The final report should also include recommendations on how to attract and retain a more diverse workforce, including ways to attract tribal citizens and members from overburdened communities.
(In support) Representative Mary Fosse, prime sponsor; Byron Allen, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 483; and Jason Hudson, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Labor Union 77.