Bill > HB1847

This bill aims to prioritize the development of distributed alternative energy resources in targeted circumstances by establishing clear guidelines and incentives for renewable energy projects that minimize environmental and agricultural disruption. The bill defines several "distributed energy priorities" including solar and wind energy generation, energy storage, and agrivoltaic facilities (solar energy systems coexisting with agricultural production) that can be developed on specific types of land such as transportation rights-of-way, parking lots, landfills, and existing structures. The legislation requires the Department of Ecology to evaluate and potentially create expedited environmental review processes or categorical exemptions for these types of projects, with the goal of facilitating clean energy infrastructure development while still maintaining environmental protections. Key provisions include creating a framework that allows solar panels and other renewable energy infrastructure to be installed on agricultural lands without compromising the land's agricultural viability, modifying tax classification rules to support these efforts, and establishing a collaborative approach to environmental review that considers both energy transformation goals and potential environmental impacts. The bill recognizes the state's clean energy transformation targets and seeks to provide regulatory flexibility to help meet those objectives by 2030 and 2045.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1847&Year=2025&Initiative=false