HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 6036

BYSenate Committee on Energy & Utilities (originally sponsored by  Senators Williams, Garrett and Owen)

Authorizing a new hydroelectric development study.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (15)

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

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

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES MARCH 27, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Federal Power Act authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to regulate the construction, operation, and maintenance of hydroelectric projects.  State agencies frequently intervene in FERC proceedings to ensure that hydro development does not occur at the expense of the state's fish and wildlife resources.

New federal legislation gives states added ability to affect FERC decisions.  The Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1986 (ECPA) amended the Federal Power Act to require that FERC consider whether a project is consistent with a comprehensive river plan prepared by a state.

FERC has interpreted the ECPA amendments as applying only to comprehensive plans that balance competing uses of a waterway prepared and adopted pursuant to a specific act of a state legislature.

Washington does not have a single comprehensive plan but has a number of management plans for waterways in place or under development.

SUMMARY:

A study of laws and policies impacting hydro development will be conducted to recommend methods of coordinating state activities relating to protection and development of waterways, including the potential for a comprehensive state plan.

The Institute for Public Policy will conduct the study in conjunction with a legislative advisory committee and assistance from affected state agencies and Indian tribes.

Appropriation:    $40,000 from the general fund to the Institute for Public Policy.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Mike Rossotto, Friends of the Earth; Mike Reed, State Parks and Recreation Commission.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    FERC, on its own, will not give adequate consideration to fish, wildlife, and environmental issues.  The state must have a qualifying hydroelectric development plan in order to ensure state concerns are considered.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.