Clean energy coordination
In 2023, state lawmakers passed House Bill 1216 to help make the process for siting and permitting clean energy projects more effective and efficient. The goal is to encourage clean energy while protecting the environment and overburdened communities, and respecting Tribal rights, interests, and resources.
We will be working with other state agencies, local and Tribal governments, and other interested parties to implement the bill. There are four focus areas:
- Developing three programmatic environmental impact statements for solar energy, onshore wind energy, and green electrolytic and renewable hydrogen projects
- Developing and putting in place a coordinated permitting process for clean energy projects
- Co-leading an interagency clean energy siting coordinating council with the state Department of Commerce
- Exploring how to consolidate state permitting processes for clean energy projects
Programmatic environmental impact statements
We will develop three programmatic environmental impact statements for utility-scale solar energy, onshore wind energy, and green electrolytic and renewable hydrogen projects. A programmatic EIS is a planning document not specific to a particular project. It provides information and includes opportunities of public and Tribal engagement. The programmatic environmental review will evaluate impacts at a broad level such as:
- Existing conditions
- Project alternatives
- Potential environmental impacts
- Proposed mitigation to offset potential impacts
The legislative deadline for completing the environmental assessments is June 30, 2025.
Interagency Clean Energy Coordinating Siting Council
In partnership with the state Department of Commerce, we are leading a group of state agencies to identify actions to improve siting and permitting clean energy projects in Washington. The Clean Energy Siting Council is tracking the progress of efforts to improve siting projects, support interagency coordination, and make recommendations to the state Legislature, due in October 2024.
Consolidating clean energy permits and applications
We are looking at options to consolidate applications and permits for clean energy projects. Required permits for a project depend on the location and facility type, as well as the construction and operations involved. A project may need various local, state, or federal permits and each permit has its own regulatory authority and agency.
Ecology worked with state agencies, the Clean Energy Siting Council, federal and local agencies, and Tribes. Our legislative report Considerations for Consolidating Clean Energy Permits and Applications provides a first look on what could be done. The report does not propose any immediate changes to permit applications or permits. Next steps will need legislative direction, and we would work with interested parties on how ideas could be implemented to help improve clean energy permitting.
The Clean Energy Coordination and projects are supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.
Related links
Contact information
Diane Butorac
Clean Energy Section Manager
diane.butorac@ecy.wa.gov
(360)763-2394