The bill aims to enhance the development of distributed energy resources in Washington State, in line with the clean energy transformation act. It focuses on promoting local energy projects, such as small-scale wind and solar installations on previously developed lands, agricultural lands, and landfills. Key provisions include establishing categories for clean energy facilities that qualify as distributed energy priorities, introducing a categorical exemption from certain regulatory requirements for small solar installations on disturbed lands, and amending definitions related to open space and agricultural land to support agrivoltaic facilities. The bill also clarifies that the addition of agrivoltaic facilities does not lead to reclassification or withdrawal from agricultural land status, ensuring tax exemptions under specific conditions.

Additionally, the bill updates requirements for qualifying utilities regarding their renewable energy and conservation targets. It allows utilities to count new distributed generation at four times the facility's electrical output if it meets certain criteria and mandates that, starting January 1, 2030, utilities must use renewable resources and nonemitting electric generation to meet 100% of their average annual retail electric load. The legislation introduces a new subsection allowing utilities to exclude voluntary renewable energy purchases from annual targets and establishes definitions for terms like "accelerated conservation" and "demand response." It also outlines measurement and verification protocols for utilities claiming demand response resources, ensuring accurate documentation and capacity quantification.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 19.285.040
Substitute Bill: 19.285.040
Engrossed Substitute: 84.34.020, 84.34.070, 19.285.040
Bill as Passed Legislature: 84.34.020, 84.34.070, 19.285.040
Session Law: 84.34.020, 84.34.070, 19.285.040