The proposed bill seeks to modernize Washington's Energy Independence Act by eliminating regulatory duplication with the Clean Energy Transformation Act, thereby streamlining the regulations governing the generation resources that utilities can use to supply electricity. Key amendments include the removal of specific generation resource requirements, such as the obligation for utilities to obtain a certain percentage of their electricity from new renewable resources by set deadlines. Instead, the focus shifts to cost-effective energy conservation, while retaining the conservation elements of the Energy Independence Act. The bill also allows the Department to provide advisory opinions on proposed conservation resources, ensuring utilities can effectively meet their conservation targets.

Additionally, the bill establishes new criteria for emissions reductions from energy transformation projects, requiring that reductions be real, specific, and verifiable, while also ensuring that projects do not increase fossil fuel usage. It modifies penalties for utilities that fail to meet energy conservation targets, adjusting the penalty amount and allowing for exemptions under certain conditions. The bill emphasizes transparency by requiring utilities to report their progress annually and disclose compliance status. A significant change includes adjusting the customer threshold for multistate electric utilities, allowing them to apply early action compliance credits for coal-fired resource reductions. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2030.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 19.285.010, 19.285.020, 19.285.040, 19.285.045, 19.285.060, 19.285.070, 19.285.080, 19.29A.060, 19.405.040