The bill updates the regulatory framework for consumer-owned utilities, including port districts, under the Clean Energy Transformation Act. It expands the definition of "consumer-owned utility" to encompass port districts and specifies that these utilities must serve at least one retail electric customer. Additionally, it introduces a provision that allows certain public utility districts with only one retail electric customer to be excluded from the consumer-owned utility classification if they meet specific conditions regarding their electricity supply. The bill also amends existing laws to streamline compliance reporting for electric utilities and port districts, with the Department of Commerce responsible for creating rules that may exempt port districts from certain reporting requirements.

Moreover, the bill establishes new reporting obligations for affected market customers to ensure adherence to energy regulations, particularly in line with chapter 19.29A RCW. The commission is tasked with adopting rules for these reporting requirements, which may be waived for customers using nonemitting electric generation or renewable resources. Consumer-owned electric utilities will need to report on electricity contracts starting July 1, 2026, with a separate timeline for port districts beginning July 1, 2030. Investor-owned utilities are also required to report relevant information to the commission and make it accessible to their retail customers. The Department of Ecology is directed to develop rules for energy transformation project investments and tracking thermal renewable energy credits, with implementation required by January 1, 2021.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 19.405.020, 19.405.100
Substitute bill: 19.405.020, 19.405.100