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 for thermal energy companies. Key insertions include the definition of "thermal energy company," which refers to private entities providing thermal energy services, and criteria for exemption from commission regulation for those operating before July 1, 2025. The legislation mandates that thermal energy networks avoid combustion for energy generation, except in emergencies, and outlines conditions for companies to opt-in to commission regulation. It also clarifies that companies with fewer than five independent customers and less than 250 residential end users are exempt from regulation unless they choose to opt-in.

Additionally, the bill integrates thermal energy companies into the existing regulatory framework for utility services, ensuring they adhere to the same standards as gas, electrical, and water companies. This includes requirements for filing rate schedules, conducting outreach to low-income customers, and maintaining accurate meter standards. The commission is granted authority to enforce service quality improvements and manage rates across all utility sectors. The bill emphasizes consumer protections, equitable treatment, and the importance of energy efficiency while allowing for discounted rates from electrical companies to thermal energy networks to enhance overall efficiency. If specific funding for implementation is not secured by June 30, 2025, the bill will become null and void.

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