Washington HB 1328: Accelerating the development of clean energy and transmission.

Bill Text

AN ACT Relating to accelerating the development of clean energy 1
and transmission; amending RCW 43.330.120; adding new sections to 2
chapter 43.330 RCW; and creating a new section.3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that Washington must 5
accelerate the pace of development for clean energy projects and 6
electrical transmission facilities. The 2021 state energy strategy 7
projects that Washington state must nearly double electricity 8
consumption by 2050 to meet the state's greenhouse gas emissions 9
limits and achieve the targets set by chapter 19.405 RCW, the 10
Washington clean energy transformation act. According to a 2023 net 11
zero northwest study by the clean energy transition institute, 12
meeting Washington's 2050 electricity needs through the most 13
economically and technically efficient pathway will require building 14
approximately 2/3 of this additional electricity generation in-state 15
while also importing approximately 1/3 from out-of-state sources. 16
According to the 2022 transmission corridors work group report, 17
increased electricity demand will require significant increases in 18
both in-state and interstate electrical transmission capacity within 19
a relatively short time frame. Developing clean energy generation 20
projects and additional electrical transmission capacity is essential 21
Z-0106.7
HOUSE BILL 1328
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Doglio, Hunt, Berry, Wylie, Ormsby, Duerr, Ramel,
Parshley, Macri, Reed, Hill, Scott, Pollet, and Nance; by request of
Department of Commerce
Read first time 01/16/25. Referred to Committee on Environment &
Energy.
p. 1 HB 1328

to: Meeting the state's climate goals; growing family-wage clean 1
energy jobs and innovative clean energy businesses and manufacturing 2
that provide economic benefits across the state; and ensuring 3
adequate, reliable, and affordable clean energy for residents and 4
businesses.5
The legislature further finds that recent legislatively mandated 6
studies identified significant concerns that impede the development 7
of clean energy projects and electrical transmission facilities, 8
unrelated to the regulatory process. These impediments include a lack 9
of information related to clean energy projects, uncertainty over 10
clean energy project impacts and benefits, inadequate engagement with 11
tribes and communities, uncertainty regarding clean energy 12
development under local zoning codes, and insufficient statewide 13
planning to guide development of clean energy projects and electrical 14
transmission facilities.15
Therefore, the legislature intends for this act to establish a 16
framework for the state to provide the information, planning, and 17
support needed to accelerate the pace of development for clean energy 18
projects and electrical transmission facilities, while also 19
protecting the environment, overburdened communities, and tribal 20
rights, interests, and resources, including cultural resources, and 21
bringing benefits to the communities that host clean energy projects. 22
This act creates a clean energy development office to: Provide 23
trusted information to the public and others; support planning and 24
development of clean energy generation and transmission; and provide 25
support to tribes, communities, and local governments as they 26
consider proposals for clean energy projects and electrical 27
transmission facilities.28
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The definitions in this section apply 29
throughout sections 3 through 6 of this act unless the context 30
clearly requires otherwise.31
(1) "Clean energy project" has the same meaning as defined in 32
RCW 43.158.010.33
(2) "Department" means the department of commerce.34
(3) "Director" means the director of the department.35
(4) "Electrical transmission facilities" has the same meaning as 36
defined in RCW 43.158.010.37
(5) "Office" means the clean energy development office 38
established in section 3 of this act.39
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(6) "Overburdened communities" has the same meaning as defined in 1
RCW 70A.02.010.2
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The clean energy development office is 3
established within the department. The office may employ staff as 4
necessary to carry out the office's duties as prescribed by this act, 5
subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific 6
purpose.7
(2) The purpose of the office is to provide proactive leadership 8
and coordination with other agencies to:9
(a) Assemble and share information to guide and support siting of 10
clean energy projects and electrical transmission facilities;11
(b) Conduct planning and development functions to help achieve 12
adequate, reliable, and affordable clean energy generation, 13
manufacturing, and transmission; and14
(c) Support tribes, local governments, and communities to enhance 15
local and equitable benefits associated with clean energy projects.16
(3)