Bill > SB6050

This bill aims to expand the use of distributed energy resources, which are small-scale power generation systems like solar panels, by reducing barriers to their adoption and promoting energy efficiency. It specifically addresses "portable solar generation devices," defined as movable solar devices that plug into standard outlets and meet safety standards like UL 3700 and IEEE 1547, ensuring they shut down during power outages. The bill exempts these portable devices from complex interconnection agreements and net metering requirements, though users must notify their utility before installation, and utilities with fewer than 25,000 customers can prohibit them. It also allows for "meter-mounted devices," which can facilitate electric vehicle charging and other energy uses without requiring expensive electrical panel upgrades, provided they meet specific safety and functionality standards and are approved by the utility. Furthermore, the bill encourages electrical and natural gas companies to invest in energy conservation and efficiency programs for rental housing, prioritizing low-income and vulnerable populations, and allows these investments to be recovered through customer bills as an "energy savings charge." Finally, it clarifies that homeowner association rules cannot prohibit the placement or use of portable solar generation devices and requires owners to indemnify associations for damages caused by these devices.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6050&Year=2025&Initiative=false