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• Introduced by Rep. John McCoy, (D-Tulalip) (D) on February 24, 2009, establishes a commitment to reducing Washington’s energy dependence on fossil and “conventional energy sources and technologies” while exploring options with clean energy sources described as “alternative, renewable, and efficient energy sources and technologies.” Outlines proper procedures for awarding grants to projects that seek to fulfill this goa.
  • Referred to the House Capital Budget Committee on February 24, 2009.
    • Amendment offered in the House on February 27, 2009, to expand the Energy Freedom Program to include state efforts to promote, develop, and encourage energy efficiency, renewable energy, and innovative energy technology markets in Washington. References to alternative, renewable, and energy efficient sources and technologies are removed and replaced with energy efficiency improvement, renewable energy improvement, and innovative energy technology. Energy efficiency improvement, renewable energy improvement, and innovative energy technology are defined and the substitute provides clarification for CTED's approval of grants. The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on February 27, 2009.
  • Referred to the House Rules Committee on March 2, 2009.
    • Amendment offered by Rep. Barbara Bailey, (R-Oak Harbor) (R) on March 6, 2009, to amend the title. The amendment failed in the House by voice vote on March 6, 2009.
    • Amendment offered by Rep. Bruce Chandler, (R-Granger) (R) on March 6, 2009, to define hydroelectric generators installed at a water supply storage facility developed under chapter 90.90 RCW as a renewable energy improvement. Authorizes the DCTED Director, in consultation with the DOE Director, to award a grant or a loan under the energy freedom program to an applicant for a project to develop a water supply storage facility under chapter 90.90 RCW. Adds new water supply storage facilities as a possible project to be funded from the energy freedom fund. Requires repayments of principal and interest from loans out of the energy freedom fund for water supply storage facility projects to be used only for financial assistance to further funding of additional energy freedom program projects. Includes Electricity produced from a generation facility located at a water supply storage facility developed under chapter 90.90 RCW as an eligible renewable resource under I-937 provisions. The amendment failed in the House by voice vote on March 6, 2009.
    • Amendment offered by Rep. Hans Dunshee, (D-Snohomish) (D) on March 6, 2009, to create a subaccount of the energy freedom account to accept appropriations from non-state funding sources. The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on March 6, 2009.
• Passed in the House (88 to 7) on March 6, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the Senate on March 10, 2009.
  • Referred to the Senate Environment, Water & Energy Committee on March 10, 2009.
    • Amendment offered in the Senate on March 26, 2009, to align federal funding for clean energy strategic planning and energy efficiency and weatherization programs as provided for in SB 5921 and SB 5649 respectively. Includes clean energy projects as identified in the clean energy initiative as allowable projects under the Energy Freedom Program. Makes technical corrections . The amendment failed in the Senate by voice vote on March 26, 2009.
  • Referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee on March 26, 2009.
  • Referred to the Senate Rules Committee on April 6, 2009.
    • Amendment offered by Sen. Phil Rockefeller, (D-Kitsap County) (D) on April 17, 2009, to establish the energy recovery act account. Funds from the account may be expended to pay for loan guarantees, and grants that encourage the establishment of innovative and sustainable industries for renewable energy and energy efficiency technology. The act establishes the administrative procedures neccesary for the act. The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on April 17, 2009.
• Passed in the Senate (45 to 0) on April 17, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the House on April 21, 2009. Passed in the House (92 to 4) on April 21, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on May 11, 2009, expands the Energy Freedom Program to accelerate energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy improvements, and deployment innovative energy technology markets in Washington. Creates the Energy Recovery Act Account.