H-0944.1
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1253
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By House Environment & Energy (originally sponsored by Representatives Ybarra and Doglio)
READ FIRST TIME 01/31/25.
AN ACT Relating to expanding the ability of consumer-owned utilities to enter into joint use agreements; and amending RCW 35.92.052 , 54.44.020 , 54.16.090 , and 43.52.300 .
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. RCW 35.92.052 and 1997 c 230 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) (( Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, cities )) Cities of the first class which operate electric generating facilities and distribution systems shall have power and authority to participate and enter into agreements for the development, use , or (( undivided )) ownership of high voltage transmission facilities and capacity rights in those facilities and for the (( undivided )) development, use, or ownership of any type of electric generating plants and facilities, including, but not limited to, nuclear and other thermal power generating plants and facilities , renewable energy facilities, energy storage facilities, and transmission facilities including, but not limited to, related transmission facilities, all to be called "common facilities"; and for the planning, financing, acquisition, construction, operation, and maintenance with: (a) Each other; (b) electrical companies which are subject to the jurisdiction of the Washington utilities and transportation commission or the regulatory commission of any other state, to be called "regulated utilities"; (c) rural electric cooperatives, including generation and transmission cooperatives in any state; (d) municipal corporations, utility districts, or other political subdivisions in any state; (( and )) (e) any agency of the United States authorized to generate or transmit electrical energy ; and (f) any other persons or entities. Agreements under this section include, but are not limited to, joint venture agreements and limited liability company agreements . It shall be provided in such agreements that each city shall use or own a percentage of any common facility at least equal to the percentage of the money furnished or the value of property supplied by it for the acquisition and construction of or additions or improvements to the facility and shall own and control or provide for the use of a like percentage of the electrical transmission or output.