Bill > SB5317

This bill amends RCW 80.50.120 to provide a new protection for local governments (cities and counties) involved in energy facility projects overseen by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC). Specifically, the bill prevents appeals against local government actions that are taken under an agreement with EFSEC to provide technical assistance, advice, or to conduct application or plan reviews related to certified energy facilities. The new provision ensures that a local government's actions cannot be challenged under the chapter if those actions are taken as part of an official agreement with EFSEC, even if those actions might be technically inconsistent with a preempted local code. This change appears designed to facilitate smoother cooperation between local governments and the state energy facility siting council by removing potential legal obstacles that could arise from technical code discrepancies when local governments are assisting with energy facility projects.