E2SHB 1216 — Concerning clean energy siting.

What this bill does

Establishes an interagency clean energy siting coordinating council to be co-chaired by the Department of Ecology (Ecology) and the Department of Commerce (Commerce). Directs Commerce to establish a new program for the designation of Clean Energy Projects of Statewide Significance (CEPSS), and assign CEPSS a clean energy navigator. Makes certain CEPSS eligible for a coordinated permitting process to be overseen by Ecology, after Ecology completes an initial assessment of the projects' likely permit application and review process. Amends provisions of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) for certain types of clean energy projects, including directing lead agencies to complete environmental impact statements (EISs) within 24 months and clarifying the content of SEPA review for clean energy projects. Directs Ecology to prepare nonproject EISs for solar projects in the Columbia Basin and for green electrolytic or renewable hydrogen projects, and directs the Washington State University energy program to conduct a least-conflict pumped storage siting process.

From the Washington State Legislature's nonpartisan staff bill analysis. Read the full analysis ↗

Floor votes

• House — 3rd Reading & Final Passage · March 4, 2023
  75 yea · 20 nay · 3 not voting
• House — Final Passage as Amended by the Senate · April 14, 2023
  78 yea · 18 nay · 2 not voting
• Senate — 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate · April 8, 2023
  30 yea · 18 nay · 1 not voting

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Other bills sponsored by Fitzgibbon

• ESHB 2039 — Modifying the appeals process for environmental and land use matters.
• 2SHB 2325 — Concerning state legislative employee collective bargaining.
• HCR 4404 — Adjourning SINE DIE.
• HCR 4408 — Specifying the status of bills, resolutions, and memorials.
• HCR 4410 — Adjourning SINE DIE.