HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 214

BYRepresentatives Nelson, Madsen and Todd

Revising permitted sources for acquisition of public utility service.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Majority Report:     Do pass.  (12)

     Signed by Representatives Nelson, Chair; Todd, Vice Chair; Armstrong, Barnes, Brooks, Hankins, Jacobsen, Jesernig, Madsen, Sutherland, Unsoeld, and Wilson.

House Staff:Fred Adair (786-7113) and Ted Hunter (786-7114)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES JANUARY 28, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Currently, energy efficiency investments generally are the most economical way to acquire additional energy.  Accordingly, the way should be clear to make best use of this resource.  To ensure access by energy companies to all opportunities for economical energy efficiency investments, their authority to make these investments should be reiterated, and they should be authorized to make the investments singly, jointly, or as part of a larger group.  Some or all of the members of such a group should be able to be within or outside a particular energy company's service territory.  Additionally, the energy efficiency investments should be able to be made within or outside the service territory of the energy company.

SUMMARY:

Cities and towns, public utility districts, and electrical and gas companies are reaffirmed in their authority to acquire energy through investments in energy efficiency.  Additionally, they are authorized to make the energy efficiency investments singly or jointly with one or more other parties located within or outside their service territories.

Fiscal Note:    Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Randy Scott, Seattle City Light; Greg Hanon, Tacoma City Light.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     More flexibility would be provided to utilities in acquiring additional energy.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.