Bill > HB1328

This bill establishes a Clean Energy Development Office within the Washington State Department of Commerce to accelerate the development of clean energy projects and electrical transmission facilities. The office is tasked with providing comprehensive support for clean energy initiatives, including developing geospatial information tools, offering guidance to developers, supporting tribal and local community engagement, and helping identify opportunities for clean energy project siting. Key responsibilities include creating publicly available resources about clean energy technologies, exploring ways to upgrade existing generating facilities, developing community benefits agreement templates, supporting workforce development in clean energy sectors, and assisting with electrical transmission planning. The bill recognizes Washington's need to nearly double electricity consumption by 2050 to meet greenhouse gas emissions limits and aims to facilitate this transition by providing information, planning assistance, and support to tribes, local governments, and communities. The office will also convene workgroups to address specific challenges, such as battery energy storage system siting, and explore potential programs to accelerate clean energy project development. Additionally, the bill expands the department's existing responsibilities to include supporting local governments in integrating clean energy development into planning and zoning requirements and providing alternative dispute resolution services for clean energy project siting.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1328&Year=2025&Initiative=false