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State Planning and Incentive Structures | Energy Efficiency Actions | Energy Supply Actions

State Planning and Incentive Structures

Lead By Example—Energy Efficiency in Public Facilities

Status: Completed

Details: Executive Order 05-01 (January 5, 2005) requires a reduction in state agency energy use by 10% by September 1, 2009, (using fiscal year 2003 as the baseline). It also requires major state construction projects (over 25,000 sq ft) to be designed and built according to LEED Silver standards. WA Statute RCW 39.35D.030 (January 2005) requires that all major facility projects of public agencies receiving any funding in a state capital budget must be designed, constructed, and certified to at least the LEED silver standard and must include building commissioning as a component of the design process.

Lead By Example—Energy Efficient Appliance and Equipment Purchase Requirements for Public Facilities

Status: No Activity Identified

Lead By Example—Clean Energy Goals for Public Facilities

Status: No Activity Identified

Lead By Example—Energy Efficiency and Alternative Fuel Goals for Public Fleets

Status: Completed

Details: HB 1303/Washington statute RCW 43.19.202 (signed May 7, 2007) requires that, effective June 1, 2015, all state and local government agencies must satisfy 100% of their fuel usage for operating publicly owned vehicles by using biofuels or electricity. Washington statute, RCW 43.19.642 (2006), requires state agencies to use at least 20% biodiesel for the operation of diesel-powered vessels, vehicles, and construction equipment by June 1, 2009. WA statute RCW 43.19.637 (2003) requires that at least 30% of all new vehicles purchased through a state contract must be clean-fuel vehicles; this percentage increases at the rate of 5% each year.

State and Regional Energy Planning

Status: Completed

Details: The Public Utilities Commissions of four western states adopted a Joint Action Framework on Climate Change on December 1, 2006. CA, NM, OR, and WA will cooperate to develop and use low-carbon technologies and renewable energy resources, while promoting energy efficiency, conservation, and demand response programs. As part of the agreement, the commissions will consider policies to encourage the development of transmission lines to provide access to sites with significant renewable energy resources. Washington is also part of the Western Governor's Association (WGA). In June 2006 the Governors signed resolutions to meet or exceed goals of 30,000 MW of clean energy by 2015 and a 20% increase in energy efficiency by 2020, to encourage adequate funding for state energy efficiency and renewable generation programs, and to facilitate development of regional energy markets.

Determining the Air Quality Benefits of Clean Energy—Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy Set Asides (NOX Budget Trading Program)

Status: No Activity Identified

Determining the Air Quality Benefits of Clean Energy—Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy Set Asides (CAIR Budget Trading Program)

Status: No Activity Identified

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Energy Efficiency Actions

Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards

Status: Completed (with caveat)

Details: Initiative 937 (passed by voter initiative on November 10, 2006) established a renewable portfolio standard law and required utilities to pursue all available conservation measures that are cost-effective, reliable, and feasible. Specifically, by January 1, 2010, utilities must: (1) identify achievable cost-effective conservation potential through 2019, with reviews and updates every two years for the subsequent 10 years; and (2) establish and meet biennial targets for conservation. Although some exemptions apply, a utility's failure to meet the energy conservation or renewable energy targets will result in a $50/MWh administrative penalty (adjusted annually for inflation) paid to the state of Washington. The funds will be deposited in a special account for the purchase of renewable energy credits or for energy conservation projects at public facilities, local government facilities, community colleges, or state universities. The initiative would also require qualifying utilities to utilize renewable energy or energy efficiency to meet the following annual targets: (1) at least 3% reduction by 2012, (2) at least 9% reduction by 2016, and (3) at least 15% reduction by 2020.

Public Benefit Funds for Energy Efficiency

Status: No Activity Identified

Building Codes for Energy Efficiency—Commercial Programs

Status: Goes Beyond ECPA

Details: State-developed code that meets or exceeds ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2004. In January 2007, 37 of the 39 proposed energy code changes were accepted; changes were implemented July 1, 2007. New code language strengthens language for economizers, adds demand control ventilation requirements and revises commissioning and lighting power sections.

Building Codes for Energy Efficiency—Residential Programs

Status: Goes Beyond ECPA

Details: State-developed and implemented code. Most recent updates effective July 1, 2005. Exceeds 2006 IECC standards for most homes. In January 2007, 37 of the 39 proposed energy code standards were adopted to be implemented July 1, 2007. The new codes exceed the 2003 IECC standards and will implement building envelope requirements for low-rise residential and exterior lighting requirements for all residential projects.

State Appliance Efficiency Standards

Status: Completed

Details: Senate Bill 1062, signed on May 6, 2005, sets minimum efficiency standards for appliances sold or installed in Washington for a variety of products including unit heaters, some lamps, and commercial refrigerators.

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Energy Supply Actions

Renewable Portfolio Standards

Status: Completed

Details: In November 2006, Washington voters approved Ballot Initiative 937, which sets requirements for all utilities in the state with more than 25,000 customers to have a portfolio of renewable energy equivalent to 3% of load by 2012, 9% by 2016, and 15% by 2020. I-937 includes a cost cap provision and a financial penalty for non-compliance. I-937 also requires the state to establish a renewable energy credit (REC) trading system. If a utility is found in non-compliance, it will be fined.

Public Benefit Funds for Clean Energy Supply

Status: No Activity Identified

Output-Based Environmental Regulations

Status: Completed

Details: Washington passed SB 6001 in April 2007, which sets output-based CO2 emission limits that will apply to all new, base-load electric generation for which electric utilities enter into long-term contracts.

Interconnection Standards—Clean Distributed Generation

Status: Completed

Details: On September 27, 2007, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) issued Order 545, requiring all jurisdictional utilities to offer distributed generation interconnection up to 20 MW (Docket UE-060649). In March 2006, the UTC adopted interconnection standards for systems < 25kW.

Interconnection Standards—Net Metering

Status: Completed

Details: On September 27, 2007, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) issued Order 545 which increases the generator capacity ceiling for net metering from 25 kW to 100 kW (Docket UE-060649) in response to Substitute HB 2352 (signed into law March 24, 2006). The bill also extended net metering to biogas and combined heat and power, and increased the cumulative generating capacity of net-metered systems. In June 2000, Washington amended its existing net metering laws to include fuel cells in the list of eligible technologies less than 25 kW (joining solar, wind, and hydropower). In June 1998, Washington Substitute HB 2773 created net metering for certain renewable energy systems.

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