The bill amends several sections of the Washington Clean Energy Transformation Act, specifically RCW 19.405.020, 19.405.030, and 19.405.100, to clarify definitions and compliance requirements for electric utilities regarding coal-fired resources and wholesale power purchases. It introduces provisions allowing for the purchase of unspecified electricity as part of limited duration wholesale power purchases, with contract durations capped at three months for general purchases and six months for seasonal resource adequacy. Additionally, it exempts electricity purchased from the Bonneville Power Administration under long-term agreements from certain compliance requirements, provided the source is not known to be from coal-fired generating units at the time of the transaction.

The bill mandates that by December 31, 2025, electric utilities must eliminate coal-fired resources from their electricity allocation while allowing decommissioning costs to be included in electric rates. It accelerates depreciation schedules for coal-fired resources and establishes penalties for non-compliance. Furthermore, it requires consumer-owned electric utilities to include specific information in their interim performance reports starting July 1, 2026, regarding unspecified electricity contracts longer than 31 days. The bill also tasks the department of ecology with creating rules for energy transformation project investments and tracking thermal renewable energy credits, with a deadline for rule adoption set for January 1, 2021.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 19.405.020, 19.405.030
Engrossed Bill: 19.405.020, 19.405.030
Bill as Passed Legislature: 19.405.020, 19.405.030, 19.405.100
Session Law: 19.405.020, 19.405.030, 19.405.100