The bill aims to enhance the efficiency and predictability of application decisions made by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council in Washington State. Key amendments include a requirement for the council to conduct an informational public hearing within 60 days of receiving an application for site certification, ensuring that the hearing is held as close as possible to the proposed site. Additionally, the bill introduces a process for the director to notify project applicants about anticipated determinations of significance regarding environmental impacts, allowing them the opportunity to withdraw and revise their applications before a final determination is made. The council is also mandated to hold a public hearing after the issuance of a final environmental impact statement and prior to making a recommendation to the governor.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the timeline for the council to report its recommendations to the governor, establishing a 12-month deadline for most applications and a 180-day deadline for specific applications related to energy facilities in certain counties. It also emphasizes the need for the council to consider public benefits, environmental impacts, and community effects when recommending approval for various energy projects. The bill repeals previous provisions related to expedited processing of applications and the evaluation of council efficiency, streamlining the decision-making process for energy facility certifications.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 80.50.090, 80.50.100