ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5466
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Senate Environment, Energy & Technology (originally sponsored by Senators Shewmake, Slatter, Conway, Nobles, and Saldaña)
READ FIRST TIME 02/19/25.
AN ACT Relating to improving reliability and capacity of the electric transmission system in Washington state; reenacting and amending RCW 43.84.092 and 43.84.092 ; adding a new section to chapter 43.330 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 43.21C RCW; adding a new section to chapter 80.28 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that Washington has committed to decarbonizing its electricity system so that it is carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon free by 2045. Achieving those goals includes retiring coal and gas resources, adding new generation from renewable and nonemitting resources, and leveraging energy storage technologies. At the same time, demand for electricity is increasing significantly due to the electrification of vehicles, home heating and cooling, and manufacturing, and the expansion of the information services sector in Washington. There are significant federal, state, and private investments in clean energy development, including wind, solar, and battery storage, that support decarbonization goals and supply new electrical load. However, Washington's existing transmission system lacks the capacity to accommodate the growing demand for clean electricity.
(2) The legislature also finds that extreme weather events and changes to seasonal highs and lows puts new strain on the existing transmission system and threatens reliability. Extreme weather events such as high-speed winds, floods, freezing, and heat domes can damage grid infrastructure and cause disruptions to the power supply. Warmer summers and colder winters increase the need for heating and cooling and thereby intensify and extend periods of peak demand.