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• Introduced by Rep. Christine Rolfes, (D-Bainbridge Island) (D) on January 28, 2009, requires the department of community, trade, and economic development to develop and implement a strategic plan for enhancing energy efficiency in and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from homes, building, districts, and neighborhoods. Requires the state energy code to accelerate construction of increasingly energy efficient homes and buildings that help achieve the broader goal of building zero fossil-fuel greenhouse gas emission homes and buildings by the year 2031. Requires the state building code council to adopt state energy codes that require homes and buildings constructed from 2016 through 2031 to meet certain energy efficiency targets, using the adopted 2006 Washington state energy code as a baseline.
  • Referred to the House Technology, Energy, and Communications Committee on January 28, 2009.
    • Substitute offered in the House on February 19, 2009, to remove school districts from the definition of qualifying public facility and the requirement that the Department of General Administration conduct zero-cost energy audits. The substitute also changes the definition of cost-effectiveness from a measure that has a payback of 10 years or less to a measure that is available when needed at a cost no greater than a least-cost, similarly reliable, and available alternative project. Provisions related to the creation of a conservation utility are modified to allow cities or counties to engage in energy conservation services, provided that there is coordination with existing conservation programs offered by the local electric or natural gas energy distribution facility. The substitute bill changes the payback period for conservation services loans offered by municipalities or public utility districts from 120 months to 240 months. The substitute bill also allows conservation loans originated by a third party to be acquired by the proceeds of obligations secured by the loan revenues of a city, county or district. The substitute passed in the House by voice vote on February 19, 2009.
    • Referred to the House Ways & Means Committee on February 20, 2009.
      • Substitute offered in the House on March 2, 2009, to change the 70 percent reduction in annual net energy consumption reflected in the 2031 State Energy Code standards to an aggregate standard. The second substitute bill also removes the specified energy efficiency targets between 2013 and 2031, and instead directs the State Building Code Council (Council) to adopt state energy codes between 2013 and 2031 that incrementally move the state towards achieving the 2031 State Energy Code standards. Provisions that authorize cities, counties, and public utility districts to engage in certain energy conservation financing activities are removed. The substitute passed in the House by voice vote on March 2, 2009.
  • Referred to the House Rules Committee on March 2, 2009.
    • Amendment offered by Rep. Christine Rolfes, (D-Bainbridge Island) (D) on March 9, 2009, to clarify the requirements for release of information by utilities and disclosure of information by building owners. Requires department of general administration, the office of financial management, and state agencies to review costs and viability of relocating when a lease building has a portfolio manager score below 50. Requires the department of general administration to establish a process to determine viability. Increases the membership of the work group developing a strategic plan for enhancing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Adds a definition for energy consumption data. The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on March 9, 2009.
• Passed in the House (70 to 25) on March 5, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the Senate on March 11, 2009.
  • Referred to the Senate Environment, Water & Energy Committee on March 11, 2009.
    • Amendment offered in the Senate on March 25, 2009, to remove the specified membership of the workgroup and direct the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development and State Building Code Council to convene the workgroup with the affected parties . The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on March 25, 2009.
    • Referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee on March 25, 2009.