Despite a Rough Legislative Session, Many Wins on Clean and Renewable Energy

The recently completed legislative session has been touted as a tough one for the environment, but several clean energy bills successfully bucked the tide. Many proactive bills were approved and attempts to weaken the citizens' clean energy initiative (I-937) were stopped.

At least 70 energy-related bills were introduced. Here are some of the key clean and renewable energy bills that passed.

• Efficiency First, championed by Rep. Rolfes and Sen. Kilmer, was one of the four environmental community priorities. The bill will make our commercial and public buildings models of energy efficiency through codes that promoting super-efficient, low-energy-use building. Since lack of information about existing buildings' energyuse hinders attempts to improve their energy efficiency, Efficiency First also requires disclosure of buildings' energy use scores (similar to a vehicles' MPG ratings) to prospective buyers.

  By making homes, businesses and public institutions more energy efficient, the Efficiency First legislation will save Washington state money, create good local jobs, enhance energy security, slash global-warming pollution and speed economic recovery while reducing the need to invest in costly new generation.

• The renewable sales tax exemption bill creates or extends several environmental and clean energy tax incentives. The tax break for in-state production of renewable energy and the full sales and use tax exemption for machinery and equipment used to produce small-scale solar energy generation were extended. Incentives to expand community solar projects were included as well.

• The Emissions Performance Standard was improved with language assuring that the greenhouse gas reductions required by state law apply to power imported from outside the state as well as to in-state generation. Utilities will not be allowed to skirt state standards by buying dirty power produced elsewhere. Cost protections for utility consumers are also included.

All of these bills will help build Washington's new clean, green economy.