Energy & Telecommunications

Providing a Framework for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions (E2SHB 2815)

This bill proposes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create clean energy jobs. The bill passed the Senate on March 5 and will now be forwarded to the Governor for signature. As approved, this bill would:

• Direct the Department of Ecology (DOE) to submit a greenhouse gas reduction plan to the Legislature to limit statewide greenhouse gas emissions.
• Authorize the DOE to adopt rules requiring a reporting system to monitor greenhouse gas emissions.
• Authorize the DOE to develop a design for a regional multi-sector market-based system to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Create a green industries job training account to train and transition workers to clean economy industry jobs.
• Direct the Department of Transportation to provide recommendations to reduce annual per capita vehicle miles traveled.

Statewide Internet Deployment (E2SSB 6438)

This bill passed out of the House Appropriations Committee on General Government & Audit Review on February 29 and is now in Rules. For a description of the bill, please see last week’s Bulletin.

Electronic Communication Devices (ESHB 1031)

This bill passed the Senate on March 4. It will now need to go back to the House for concurrence. For an explanation of the bill, please see last week’s Bulletin.

Interim Legislative Committee Work Plans

The House Technology, Energy & Communications Committee met one last time for this legislative session to discuss their interim work activities. There are several issue areas this committee covers, but the vast majority of the issues raised related to energy and utility work. Here is a rundown of issues that were suggested by the Chair or members of the committee that would also be of interest to cities and electric utilities:

Energy and Utilities

• Monitor the application of interconnection standards
• Monitor the implementation of Initiative 937
• Review the implementation of utility Integrated Resource Plans
• Climate Change and the Governor’s CAT process
• Waste to Energy
• Monitor new PUD pole attachment rules
• Look into alternative technologies such as wave, tidal, wind, geo thermal
• Not mentioned, but expected to come up: vegetation management

Technology and Telecommunications

• Statewide high-speed internet availability
• Research Internet II
• Privacy issues and RFID technology
• Not mentioned and not expected to be discussed: statewide franchises; siting wireless facilities

The Senate Water, Energy & Telecommunications Committee did not hold a discussion about interim projects.

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