In adopting a final work plan to implement Washington state's new Clean Energy Transformation Act and 10 related bills, utility regulators set a schedule for the numerous rulemakings, workgroups, reports and other proceedings to be completed over the next three years.
Under that law, which was signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on May 7 as part of a package of clean energy legislation, Washington's electric utilities are required to transition to 100% clean power by 2045.
"It's complicated but absolutely achievable," said Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission Chair David Danner in a press release.
The effort will be focused on squeezing out the last fossil fuel-derived electricity from Washington's grid. The state already gets more than 71% of its power from hydroelectric facilities, 8.5% from nuclear and nearly 7% from renewable energy, especially wind, solar and biomass. Gas-fired generation accounts for almost 9% and coal generates less than 4.7%.
The regulatory proceedings will be directed at Puget Holdings LLC subsidiary Puget Sound Energy Inc., Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiary PacifiCorp, and Avista Corp.
Among other things, the commission plans to adopt regulations that direct electric utilities to eliminate coal power from rates by 2025 and to provide offsets after 2030 for any carbon emissions from power generation sources. The carbon emissions must be offset by renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon reduction project investments, or payments funding low-income assistance. By 2045, all electric utilities must generate 100% of their power from renewable or zero-carbon resources.
The commission said it coordinated with the state Department of Commerce to initiate discussions on carbon and electricity markets and a rulemaking working group this summer.
Under the commission's direction and review, the utilities must develop and carry out plans to distribute more electricity from renewable or non-carbon-emitting resources or pay penalties for failing to do so.
The final plan, released Aug. 27, incorporated many recommendations stakeholders floated during a July 30 workshop, the commission said, adding that continued public engagement will be needed. The implementation of the energy legislation requires multiple state agencies to coordinate their rules and develop timelines, including the state departments of Commerce, Ecology, Health and Natural Resources. The commission will continue to work with the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council and advisory committees as well.
With the issuance of the work plan, the commission closed the related proceeding. (WUTC docket U-190485)
