The bill seeks to enhance the deployment of low carbon thermal energy networks in Washington State by amending the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to include new definitions and regulations. It introduces the term "thermal energy company," which refers to private entities providing thermal energy services, and establishes "thermal energy networks" that primarily operate without combustion for energy generation, except in emergencies. The legislation also outlines the definitions of "thermal energy services" and "thermal energy systems," highlighting their importance in delivering efficient heating and cooling solutions while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Notably, the bill exempts certain thermal energy companies from commission regulation if they are operational or under development before July 1, 2025, provided they have fewer than five independent customers and less than 250 residential end users.

Additionally, the bill expands the regulatory framework for thermal energy companies, aligning them with existing regulations for gas, electrical, and water companies. It mandates that these companies maintain just and reasonable service charges, offer budget billing to low-income customers, and prohibits service disconnections during extreme weather alerts. The legislation also requires thermal energy companies to file rate schedules with the commission and conduct outreach to inform low-income customers about available assistance programs. Furthermore, it establishes provisions for addressing thermal energy system imbalances and mandates coordination with health and ecology departments for improvements to water and sewer services. The bill emphasizes the need for accurate thermal energy meters and outlines responsibilities for meter inaccuracies, while also allowing electrical companies to offer discounted rates to thermal energy networks to improve efficiency.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 80.04.010, 80.04.550, 80.28.005, 80.28.010, 80.28.020, 80.28.030, 80.28.040, 80.28.050, 80.28.060, 80.28.065, 80.28.068, 80.28.370, 80.28.075, 80.28.080, 80.28.090, 80.28.100, 80.28.120, 80.28.130, 80.28.160, 80.28.170, 80.28.240, 80.28.430, 19.280.030
Substitute Bill: 80.04.010, 80.04.550, 80.28.005, 80.28.010, 80.28.020, 80.28.030, 80.28.040, 80.28.050, 80.28.060, 80.28.065, 80.28.068, 80.28.370, 80.28.075, 80.28.080, 80.28.090, 80.28.100, 80.28.120, 80.28.130, 80.28.160, 80.28.170, 80.28.240, 80.28.430, 19.280.030
Second Substitute: 80.04.010, 80.04.550, 80.28.005, 80.28.010, 80.28.020, 80.28.030, 80.28.040, 80.28.050, 80.28.060, 80.28.065, 80.28.068, 80.28.370, 80.28.075, 80.28.080, 80.28.090, 80.28.100, 80.28.120, 80.28.130, 80.28.160, 80.28.170, 80.28.240, 80.28.430
Bill as Passed Legislature: 80.04.010, 80.04.550, 80.28.005, 80.28.010, 80.28.020, 80.28.030, 80.28.040, 80.28.050, 80.28.060, 80.28.065, 80.28.068, 80.28.370, 80.28.075, 80.28.080, 80.28.090, 80.28.100, 80.28.120, 80.28.130, 80.28.160, 80.28.170, 80.28.240, 80.28.430
Session Law: 80.04.010, 80.04.550, 80.28.005, 80.28.010, 80.28.020, 80.28.030, 80.28.040, 80.28.050, 80.28.060, 80.28.065, 80.28.068, 80.28.370, 80.28.075, 80.28.080, 80.28.090, 80.28.100, 80.28.120, 80.28.130, 80.28.160, 80.28.170, 80.28.240, 80.28.430