ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5445
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Senate Environment, Energy & Technology (originally sponsored by Senators Boehnke, Hasegawa, and Slatter)
READ FIRST TIME 02/21/25.
AN ACT Relating to encouraging the development of distributed energy resources; amending RCW 84.34.020 , 84.34.070 , and 19.285.040 ; adding a new section to chapter 43.21F RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.21C RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that, as Washington works towards meeting its goals under the clean energy transformation act, we see many larger-scale renewable energy projects proposed. These projects can come with significant challenges. This act aims to incentivize the development of renewable energy on lands and structures that have minimal disruption to natural habitats, communities, cultural resources, and agriculture. This could include small-scale wind energy developments, solar energy developments on landfills, structures, and other developed lands, and the placement of solar panels on agricultural lands that ensure the continued viability of agriculture alongside energy production. Incentivizing distributed energy can help us protect our rich agricultural lands and meet our clean energy goals.
(2)(a) The legislature finds and declares that the Pacific Northwest utilities conference committee has estimated demand for electricity in the region will increase 30 percent over the next decade. High-tech manufacturing, increasing electrification of buildings and transportation, and surging data center needs contribute to the expected increase in demand. Local economies benefit from projects that will help meet this demand and improve distribution system resilience with local resources and investments.