Day 21: Senate looks into equitable renewable energy

The House Finance Committee heard public testimony on Substitute House Bill 1814, which would expand equitable access to the benefits of renewable energy through community solar projects and other environmentally-friendly sources. 

Substitute House Bill 1814 - 2021-22

Bill Information: Expanding equitable access to the benefits of renewable energy through community solar power projects. Original Bill (pdf) Substitute Bill (pdf) Bill Information Page (link)

Sponsors: Shewmake, Berry, Bateman, Duerr, Macri, Ramel, Paul, Bergquist, Fitzgibbon, Pollet, Harris-Talley, Kloba
Status: Feb 1 - Executive action taken in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 8 a.m.
ENVI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. Minority; without recommendation.
Feb 3 - Referred to Finance.
Feb 7 - Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8 a.m.

Committee Materials

Full House Bill Report
Bill Analysis
Bill Report: 1814 HBR ENVI 22

The bill analysis and bill report are prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

• Establishes a new community solar incentive program, to be administered by the Washington State University Extension Energy Program, for the purpose of providing direct benefits to low-income
  subscribers, low-income service provider subscribers, and tribal and public agency subscribers (Community Solar Expansion Program).
• Sets a statewide total cap of $20 million for the Community Solar Expansion Program incentive payments.
• Creates a new public utility tax credit equal to the incentive payments paid by an electric utility under the Community Solar Expansion Program.
• Extends the date that community solar projects may be certified under the existing Renewable Energy Production Incentive Program from 2021 to 2022.

Click for more information on SHB 1814.