issue area reports | energy and environment
Sen . Reuven Carlyle , D-Seattle , was chair of the Senate Environment , Energy & Technology Committee . He retired this year .
further complicates utilities ’ ability to serve growing demand . Citing and permitting new generating capacity and transmission infrastructure in Washington remains a costly and long-term process . Not enough new generation is being built to keep pace with growth .
Natural gas provides around 20 % of Washington ’ s energy source and shifting that load onto the grid would make the issue of power adequacy worse . In addition , the bill has considerable constitutional concerns regarding the issue of a publicly funding taking of private investment which was not addressed . The bill did not pass out of committee . AWB opposed the bill .
HB 1766 modifying the regulation of gas companies to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
Failed / AWB Opposed
This was the third of the four governorrequest natural gas bills . This bill added considerable cost requirements onto natural gas distribution companies and their customers , required them to create a plan to phase out natural gas use in the state , and required them to fund the costs of transitioning their workforce to clean energy jobs . This bill was strongly opposed by AWB and many trade unions in the state . One of the more troubling elements of the bill was that it assumed that natural gas companies were not going to comply with the Climate Commitment Act ( cap and invest ) passed last year and needed a specific law to require additional compliance beyond what the CCA mandated . It ignores the natural gas distribution company ’ s requirements to comply with the Climate Commitment Account , which creates a statewide decarbonization pathway . The bill received a hearing in House Environment & Energy Committee but did not advance . AWB opposed this bill .
HB 1770 strengthening energy codes
Failed / AWB Opposed
This was the fourth of the governor-request natural gas bills . This bill changed the State Building Code Council authorizing directive which currently directs them to make regulations to advance energy efficiency to one that would instead prioritize carbon reductions . This effectively grants the Code Council the authority to ban natural gas using the building code
Bill considered as part of AWB ’ s voting record
Favorable outcome for Washington businesses
Missed Opportunities
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