A Governor request bill would establish an interagency clean energy siting coordinating council and create new requirements for cities.

HB 1216, from Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon (D–Burien), intends to facilitate and require better coordinated, faster environmental review and permitting decisions on energy projects within the state. The coordinating council would be cochaired by the Departments of Commerce and Ecology, with representation from the Governor’s office and various state agencies, but not Washington cities.

In addition to establishing a new siting council, the bill updates processes for review of clean energy projects under the state environmental policy act. The council would advise Commerce in:

• Evaluating the state agency siting and permitting processes.
• Identifying successful models for sitting and permitting clean energy projects.
• Developing recommendations for improving such processes in Washington.
• Developing consolidated clean energy application and permit through Ecology.

The proposal also creates a designation for clean energy projects of statewide significance, tasking Commerce and Ecology with designing an application and application process to achieve the designation. Applicants must demonstrate:

• How the project is expected to limit greenhouse gas emissions and meet other clean energy goals.
• How the project will contribute to economic development within the state.
• A plan for meaningful community engagement, including with tribes.
• A description of community benefits and impacts.

Section 209 of the bill requires that cities with development projects designated as clean energy projects of statewide significance within their jurisdictions must enter into an agreement with Ecology and the project proponents for expediting the completion of projects. The agreement obligates cities to:

• Expedite permit processing for the design and construction of the project.
• Expedite environmental review processing.
• Expedite processing of requests for street, right-of-way, or easement vacations necessary for the construction of the project.
• Make local officials or planning staff available to serve on the team.
• Develop and follow a plan for consultation with potentially affected federally recognized Indian tribes with interests on or near a proposed site.
• Carry out such other actions identified by Ecology as needed.

During review of a project to construct or improve facilities for the generation, transmission, or distribution of electricity, a local government may not require a project applicant to demonstrate the necessity or utility of the project other than to require submission of any publicly available documentation required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or the Utilities and Transportation Commission, or from any other federal agency with regulatory authority over the assessment of electric power transmission and distribution needs.

AWC seeks city feedback on Sec. 209 of the bill. Please contact AWC staff if your city has concerns or other input.

Please contact AWC staff if your city has concerns or other input.

Date to remember

HB 1216 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Environment & Energy Committee on Thursday, January 19 at 8 am.