The bill seeks to improve the siting and permitting processes for clean energy projects in Washington State, establishing an interagency clean energy siting coordinating council co-chaired by the departments of commerce and ecology. This council will streamline the permitting process, ensure early engagement with communities and tribal interests, and track federal efforts while providing annual reports on progress. The legislation introduces a designation for clean energy projects of statewide significance, requiring detailed project information from applicants, including their contributions to greenhouse gas emission limits and economic development goals. The Department of Commerce will review these applications and make determinations within 60 days, emphasizing community engagement and the development of community benefit agreements.

Additionally, the bill outlines a coordinated permitting process led by the Department of Ecology, which will serve as the central point of contact for project proponents. It mandates local jurisdictions to enter into agreements with the Department of Ecology to expedite permitting and establishes cost-reimbursement agreements for expenses incurred during this process. The bill also requires affected federally recognized Indian tribes to submit summaries of their concerns regarding projects, which must be included in official files. New provisions clarify the environmental review process, prohibit local governments from requiring unnecessary documentation for electricity generation projects, and establish a "least-conflict pumped storage siting process" to identify optimal locations for renewable energy storage facilities while engaging with tribal stakeholders.