The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Alternative energy resource" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 80.50.020.

(2) "Alternative jet fuel" means a fuel that can be blended and used with conventional petroleum jet fuels without the need to modify aircraft engines and existing fuel distribution infrastructure and that meets the greenhouse gas emissions reduction requirements that apply to biomass-derived fuels as defined in RCW 70A.65.010. "Alternative jet fuel" includes jet fuels derived from coprocessed feedstocks at a conventional petroleum refinery.

(3) "Applicant" means a person applying to the department of commerce for designation of a development project as a clean energy project of statewide significance under this chapter.

(4)(a) "Associated facilities" means storage, transmission, handling, or other related and supporting facilities connecting a clean energy project with the existing energy supply, processing, or distribution system including, but not limited to, battery energy storage communications, controls, mobilizing or maintenance equipment, instrumentation, and other types of ancillary storage and transmission equipment, off-line storage or venting required for efficient operation or safety of the transmission system and overhead, and surface or subsurface lines of physical access for the inspection, maintenance, and safe operations of the transmission facility and new transmission lines constructed to operate at nominal voltages of at least 115,000 volts to connect a clean energy project to the northwest power grid.

(b) Common carrier railroads or motor vehicles are not associated facilities.

(5) "Clean energy product manufacturing facility" means a facility or a project at any facility that exclusively or primarily manufactures the following products or components primarily used by such products:

(a) Vehicles, vessels, and other modes of transportation that emit no exhaust gas from the onboard source of power, other than water vapor;

(b) Charging and fueling infrastructure for electric, hydrogen, or other types of vehicles that emit no exhaust gas from the onboard source of power, other than water vapor;

(c) Renewable or green electrolytic hydrogen, including preparing renewable or green electrolytic hydrogen for distribution as an energy carrier or manufacturing feedstock, or converting it to a green hydrogen carrier;

(d) Equipment and products used to produce energy from alternative energy resources;

(e) Equipment and products used to produce nonemitting electric generation as defined in RCW 19.405.020;

(f) Equipment and products used at storage facilities;

(g) Equipment and products used to improve energy efficiency;

(h) Semiconductors or semiconductor materials as defined in RCW 82.04.2404; and

(i) Projects or facility upgrades undertaken by emissions-intensive, trade-exposed industries as classified in RCW 70A.65.110 for which the facility can demonstrate expected reductions in overall facility greenhouse gas emissions to align with the cap trajectory under chapter 70A.65 RCW, where the project does not degrade local air quality.

(6) "Clean energy project" means the following facilities together with their associated facilities:

(a) Clean energy product manufacturing facilities;

(b) Electrical transmission facilities;

(c) Facilities to produce nonemitting electric generation or electric generation from renewable resources, as defined in RCW 19.405.020, except for:

(i) Hydroelectric generation that includes new diversions, new impoundments, new bypass reaches, or the expansion of existing reservoirs constructed after May 7, 2019, unless the diversions, bypass reaches, or reservoir expansions are necessary for the operation of a pumped storage facility that: (A) Does not conflict with existing state or federal fish recovery plans; and (B) complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations; and

(ii) Hydroelectric generation associated with facilities or persons that have been the subject of an enforcement action, penalty order, or settled any enforcement action or penalty order with any agreement to pay a penalty or pay for or conduct mitigation under chapter 90.48 or 77.55 RCW during the preceding 15 years that resulted in the payment of a penalty of at least $100,000 or conducting mitigation with a value of at least $100,000;

(d) Storage facilities;

(e) Facilities or projects at any facilities that exclusively or primarily process biogenic feedstocks into biofuel as defined in RCW 80.50.020;

(f) Biomass energy facilities as defined in RCW 19.405.020; or

(g) Facilities or projects at any facilities that exclusively or primarily process alternative jet fuel.

(7) "Electrical transmission facilities" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 80.50.020, except excluding electrical transmission facilities that primarily or solely serve facilities that generate electricity from fossil fuels.

(8) "Fully coordinated permit process" means a comprehensive coordinated permitting assistance approach supported by a written agreement between the project proponent, the department of ecology, and the participating agencies.

(9) "Fully coordinated project" means a clean energy project subject to the fully coordinated permit process.

(10) "Green electrolytic hydrogen" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 80.50.020.

(11) "Green hydrogen carrier" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 80.50.020.

(12) "Overburdened community" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 70A.02.010.

(13) "Permit" means any permit, license, certificate, use authorization, or other form of governmental review or approval required in order to construct, expand, or operate a project in the state of Washington.

(14) "Permit agency" means any state or local agency authorized by law to issue permits.

(15) "Project proponent" means a person, business, or any entity applying for or seeking a permit or permits in the state of Washington.

(16) "Reasonable costs" means direct and indirect expenses incurred by the department of ecology, participating agencies, or local governments in carrying out the coordinated permit process established in this chapter, including the initial assessment, environmental review, and permitting. "Reasonable costs" includes work done by agency or local government staff or consultants hired by agencies or local governments to carry out the work plan. "Reasonable costs" may also include other costs agreed to between the applicant and the department of ecology, participating agencies, or local governments.

(17) "Renewable hydrogen" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 80.50.020.

(18) "Renewable natural gas" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 80.50.020.

(19) "Renewable resource" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 80.50.020.

(20) "Storage facility" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 80.50.020.

Findings—Intent—2023 c 230: See note following RCW 43.394.010.

(1) The department of commerce shall develop an application for the designation of clean energy projects as clean energy projects of statewide significance.

(2) An application to the department of commerce by an applicant under this section must include:

(a) Information regarding the location of the project;

(b) Information sufficient to demonstrate that the project qualifies as a clean energy project;

(c) An explanation of how the project is expected to contribute to the state's achievement of the greenhouse gas emission limits in chapter 70A.45 RCW and is consistent with the state energy strategy adopted by the department of commerce, as well as any contribution that the project is expected to make to other state regulatory requirements for clean energy and greenhouse gas emissions, including the requirements of chapter 19.405, 70A.30, 70A.60, 70A.65, 70A.535, or 70A.540 RCW;

(d) An explanation of how the project is expected to contribute to the state's economic development goals, including information regarding the applicant's average employment in the state for the prior year, estimated new employment related to the project, estimated wages of employees related to the project, and estimated time schedules for completion and operation;

(e) A plan for engagement and information sharing with potentially affected federally recognized Indian tribes;

(f) A description of potential community benefits and impacts from the project, a plan for community engagement in the project development, and an explanation of how the applicant might use a community benefit agreement or other legal document that stipulates the benefits that the developer agrees to fund or furnish, in exchange for community support of a project; and

(g) Other information required by the department of commerce.

Findings—Intent—2023 c 230: See note following RCW 43.394.010.

(1)(a) The department of commerce, in consultation with natural resources agencies and other state agencies identified as likely to have a role in siting or permitting a project, must review applications received under RCW 43.158.020. Within 14 business days of receiving the application, the department of commerce must mail or provide in person a written determination that the application is complete, or if the application is incomplete, an opportunity to meet with the department of commerce to determine what is necessary to make the application complete. Within seven business days after an applicant has submitted additional information identified by the department of commerce as being necessary for a complete application, the department of commerce must notify the applicant whether the application is complete or what additional information is necessary.

(b) When the application is complete, the director of the department of commerce must determine within 60 business days whether to designate an applicant's project as a clean energy project of statewide significance.

(c) A determination of completeness does not preclude the department of commerce from requesting additional information if new information is required or substantial changes in the proposed project occur.

(2) The department of commerce may designate a clean energy project of statewide significance taking into consideration:

(a) Whether the project qualifies as a clean energy project;

(b) Whether the project will: Contribute to achieving state emission reduction limits under chapter 70A.45 RCW; be consistent with the state energy strategy adopted by the department of commerce; contribute to achieving other state requirements for clean energy and greenhouse gas emissions reductions; and support the state's economic development goals;

(c) Whether the level of applicant need for coordinated state assistance, including for siting and permitting and the complexity of the project, warrants the designation of a project;

(d) Whether the project is proposed for an area or for a clean energy technology that has been reviewed through a nonproject environmental review process, or least-conflict siting process including, but not limited to, the processes identified in RCW 43.21C.538 and section 306, chapter 230, Laws of 2023, and whether the project is consistent with the recommendations of such processes;

(e) Whether the project is anticipated to have potential near-term or long-term significant positive or adverse impacts on environmental and public health, including impacts to:

(i) State or federal endangered species act listed species in Washington;

(ii) Overburdened communities; and

(iii) Rights, interests, and resources, including tribal cultural resources, of potentially affected federally recognized Indian tribes; and

(f) Input received from potentially affected federally recognized Indian tribes, which the department must solicit and acknowledge the receipt of.

(3) In determining whether to approve an application, the department of commerce must consider information contained in an application under RCW 43.158.020 demonstrating an applicant's tribal outreach and engagement, engagement with the department of archaeology and historic preservation, and engagement with the governor's office of Indian affairs.

(4)(a) The department of commerce may designate an unlimited number of projects of statewide significance that meet the criteria of this section.

(b) An applicant whose application to the department of commerce under this chapter is not successful is eligible to reapply.

Findings—Intent—2023 c 230: See note following RCW 43.394.010.

An optional, fully coordinated permit process is established for clean energy projects that do not apply to the energy facility site evaluation council under chapter 80.50 RCW. In support of the coordinated permitting process for clean energy projects, the department of ecology must:

(1) Act as the central point of contact for the project proponent for the coordinated permitting process for projects that do not apply to the energy facility site evaluation council under chapter 80.50 RCW and communicate with the project proponent about defined issues;

(2) Conduct an initial assessment of the proposed project review and permitting actions for coordination purposes as provided in RCW 43.158.110;

(3) Ensure that the project proponent has been informed of all the information needed to apply for the state and local permits that are included in the coordinated permitting process;

(4) Facilitate communication between project proponents and agency staff to promote timely permit decisions and promote adherence to agreed schedules;

(5) Verify completion among participating agencies of administrative review and permit procedures, such as providing public notice;

(6) Assist in resolving any conflict or inconsistency among permit requirements and conditions;

(7) Consult with potentially affected federally recognized Indian tribes as provided in RCW 43.158.150 in support of the coordinated permitting process;

(8) Engage with potentially affected overburdened communities as provided in RCW 43.158.150;

(9) Manage a fully coordinated permitting process; and

(10) Coordinate with local jurisdictions to assist with fulfilling the requirements of chapter 36.70B RCW and other local permitting processes.

Findings—Intent—2023 c 230: See note following RCW 43.394.010.

(1) Upon the request of a proponent of a clean energy project, the department of ecology must conduct an initial assessment to determine the level of coordination needed, taking into consideration the complexity of the project and the experience of those expected to be involved in the project application and review process.

(2) The initial project assessment must consider the complexity, size, and need for assistance of the project and must address as appropriate:

(a) The expected type of environmental review;

(b) The state and local permits or approvals that are anticipated to be required for the project;

(c) The permit application forms and other application requirements of the participating permit agencies;

(d) The anticipated information needs and issues of concern of each participating agency; and

(e) The anticipated time required for the environmental review process under chapter 43.21C RCW and permit decisions by each participating agency, including the estimated time required to determine if the permit applications are complete, to conduct the environmental review under chapter 43.21C RCW, and conduct permitting processes for each participating agency. In determining the estimated time required, full consideration must be given to achieving the greatest possible efficiencies through any concurrent studies and any consolidated applications, hearings, and comment periods.

(3) The outcome of the initial assessment must be documented in writing, furnished to the project proponent, and be made available to the public.

(4) The initial assessment must be completed within 60 days of the clean energy project proponent's request to the department under this section, unless information on the project is not complete.

Findings—Intent—2023 c 230: See note following RCW 43.394.010.

(1) A project proponent may submit a written request to the department of ecology pursuant to RCW 43.158.140 and a local government development agreement to support local government actions pursuant to RCW 43.158.130 for participation in a fully coordinated permitting process. To be eligible to participate in the fully coordinated permit process:

(a) The project proponent must:

(i) Enter into a cost-reimbursement agreement pursuant to RCW 43.158.140;

(ii) Provide sufficient information on the project and project site to identify probable significant adverse environmental impacts;

(iii) Provide information on any voluntary mitigation measures; and

(iv) Provide information on engagement actions taken by the proponent with federally recognized Indian tribes, local government, and overburdened communities; and

(b) The department of ecology must determine that the project raises complex coordination, permit processing, or substantive permit review issues.

(2) A project proponent who requests designation as a fully coordinated project must provide the department of ecology with a complete description of the project. The department of ecology may request any information from the project proponent that is necessary to make the designation under this section and may convene a meeting of the likely participating permit agencies.

(3) For a fully coordinated permitting process, the department of ecology must serve as the main point of contact for the project proponent and participating agencies with regard to coordinating the permitting process for the project as a whole. Each participating permit agency must designate a single point of contact for coordinating with the department of ecology. The department of ecology must keep a schedule identifying required procedural steps in the permitting process and highlighting substantive issues as appropriate that must be resolved in order for the project to move forward. In carrying out these responsibilities, the department of ecology must:

(a) Conduct the duties for the coordinated permitting process as described in RCW 43.158.110;

(b)(i) Reach out to tribal or federal jurisdictions responsible for issuing a permit for the project and invite them to participate in the coordinated permitting process or to receive periodic updates of the project;

(ii) Reach out to local jurisdictions responsible for issuing a permit for the project and inform them of their obligations under RCW 43.158.130.

(4) Within 30 days, or longer with agreement of the project proponent, of the date that the department of ecology determines a project is eligible for the fully coordinated permitting process, the department of ecology shall convene a work plan meeting with the project proponent, local government, and the participating permit agencies to develop a coordinated permitting process schedule. The work plan meeting agenda may include any of the following:

(a) Review of the permits that are anticipated for the project;

(b) A review of the permit application forms and other application requirements of the agencies that are participating in the coordinated permitting process;

(c) An estimation of the timelines that will be used by each participating permit agency to make permit decisions, including the estimated time periods required to determine if the permit applications are complete and to review or respond to each application or submittal of new information. In the development of this timeline, full attention must be given to achieving the maximum efficiencies possible through concurrent studies and consolidated applications, hearings, and comment periods; or

(d) An estimation of reasonable costs for the department of ecology, participating agencies, and the county, city, or town in which the project is proposed for environmental review and permitting, based on known information about the project.

(5) Each participating agency and the lead agency under chapter 43.21C RCW must send at least one representative qualified to discuss the applicability and timelines associated with all permits administered by that agency or jurisdiction to the work plan meeting. The department of ecology must notify any relevant federal agency or potentially affected federally recognized Indian tribe of the date of the meeting and invite them to participate in the process.

(6) Any accelerated time period for the consideration of a permit application or for the completion of the environmental review process under chapter 43.21C RCW must be consistent with any statute, rule, or regulation, or adopted state policy, standard, or guideline that requires the participation of other agencies, federally recognized Indian tribes, or interested persons in the application process.

(7) Upon the completion of the work plan meeting under subsection (4) of this section, the department of ecology must finalize the coordinated permitting process schedule, share it in writing with the project proponent, participating state agencies, lead agencies under chapter 43.21C RCW, and cities and counties subject to an agreement specified in RCW 43.158.130, and make the schedule available to the public.

(8) As part of the coordinated permit process, the developer may prepare a community benefit agreement or other similar document to identify how to mitigate potential community impacts or impacts to tribal rights and resources, including cultural resources. The agreement should include benefits in addition to jobs or tax revenues resulting from the project. Approval of any benefit agreement or other legal document stipulating the benefits that the developer agrees to fund or furnish, in exchange for community or tribal government support of the project, must be made by the local government legislative authority of the county, city, or town in which the project is proposed or by the relevant federally recognized Indian tribal government.

(9) If a lead agency under chapter 43.21C RCW, a permit agency, or the project proponent foresees, at any time, that it will be unable to meet the estimated timelines or other obligations under the schedule agreement, it must notify the department of ecology of the reasons for the delay and offer potential solutions or an amended timeline. The department of ecology must notify the participating agencies and the project proponent and, upon agreement of all parties, adjust the schedule or, if necessary, schedule another work plan meeting.

(10) The project proponent may withdraw from the coordinated permitting process by submitting to the department of ecology a written request that the process be terminated. Upon receipt of the request, the department of ecology must notify each participating agency that a coordinated permitting process is no longer applicable to the project.

(11)(a) Permitting decisions made by state and local jurisdictions under the fully coordinated permitting process in this chapter are considered final, subject to any appeals process available to applicants or other parties. Applicants utilizing the fully coordinated permitting process in this chapter are not eligible for permitting under chapter 80.50 RCW unless a substantial change is made to the proposed project.

(b) Prior to considering an application under chapter 80.50 RCW from a project applicant that has previously used the fully coordinated permitting process under this chapter for the project, the energy facility site evaluation council must determine that the project applicant has made a substantial change to the project, relative to the project as it was proposed under the fully coordinated permitting process.

Findings—Intent—2023 c 230: See note following RCW 43.394.010.

(1)(a) Counties and cities with clean energy projects that are determined to be eligible for the fully coordinated permit process shall enter into an agreement with the department of ecology or with the project proponents of clean energy projects for expediting the completion of projects.

(b) For the purposes of this section, "expedite" means that a county or city will develop and implement a method to accelerate the process for permitting and environmental review. Expediting should not disrupt or otherwise delay the permitting and environmental review of other projects or require the county or city to incur additional costs that are not compensated.

(2) Agreements required by this section must include requirements that the county or city coordinate with the department of ecology and conduct environmental review and permitting to align with the work plan described in RCW 43.158.120(4) and:

(a) Expedite permit processing for the design and construction of the project;

(b) Expedite environmental review processing;

(c) Expedite processing of requests for street, right-of-way, or easement vacations necessary for the construction of the project;

(d) Develop and follow a plan for consultation with potentially affected federally recognized Indian tribes; and

(e) Carry out such other actions identified by the department of ecology as needed for the fully coordinated permitting process.

Findings—Intent—2023 c 230: See note following RCW 43.394.010.

(1) For a fully coordinated permitting process, a project proponent must enter into a cost-reimbursement agreement with the department of ecology in accordance with RCW 43.21A.690. The cost-reimbursement agreement is to recover reasonable costs incurred by the department of ecology and participating agencies in carrying out the coordinated permitting process.

(2) The cost-reimbursement agreement may include deliverables and schedules for invoicing and reimbursement.

(3) For a fully coordinated permitting process, a project proponent must enter into a development agreement with the county, city, or town in which the project is proposed, in accordance with the authorization and requirements in RCW 36.70B.170 through 36.70B.210. The development agreement must detail the obligations of the local jurisdiction and the project applicant. It must also include, but not be limited to, the process the county, city, or town will implement for meeting its obligation to expedite the application, other clarifications for project phasing, and an estimate of reasonable costs.

(4) For a fully coordinated permitting process, a project proponent may enter directly into a cost-reimbursement agreement similar to that described in subsection (1) of this section, to reimburse the costs of a federally recognized Indian tribe for reviewing and providing input on the siting and permitting of a clean energy project.

(5) If a project proponent foresees, at any time, that it will be unable to meet its obligations under the agreement, it must notify the department of ecology and state the reasons, along with proposals for resolution.

Findings—Intent—2023 c 230: See note following RCW 43.394.010.

(1)(a) The department of ecology must offer early, meaningful, and individual consultation with any affected federally recognized Indian tribe on designated clean energy projects participating in the coordinated permitting process for the purpose of understanding potential impacts to tribal rights, interests, and resources, including tribal cultural resources, archaeological sites, sacred sites, fisheries, or other rights and interests in tribal lands and lands within which an Indian tribe or tribes possess rights reserved or protected by federal treaty, statute, or executive order. The consultation is independent of, and in addition to, any public participation process required by state law, or by a state agency. The goal of the consultation process is to support the coordinated permitting process by early identification of tribal rights, interests, and resources, including tribal cultural resources, potentially affected by the project, and identifying solutions, when possible, to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects on tribal rights, interests, or resources, including tribal cultural resources, based on environmental or permit reviews.

(b) At the earliest possible date after the initiation of the coordinated permitting process under this chapter, the department of ecology shall engage in a preapplication process with all affected federally recognized Indian tribes potentially impacted by the project.

(i) The department of ecology must notify the department of archaeology and historic preservation, the department of fish and wildlife, and all affected federally recognized Indian tribes potentially impacted by the project. The notification must include geographical location, detailed scope of the proposed project, preliminary proposed project details available to federal, state, or local governmental jurisdictions, and all publicly available materials.

(ii) The department of ecology must also offer to discuss the project with the department of archaeology and historic preservation, the department of fish and wildlife, and all affected federally recognized Indian tribes potentially impacted by the project. Any resultant discussions must include the project's impact to tribal rights, interests, and resources, including tribal cultural resources, archaeological sites, sacred sites, fisheries, or other rights and interests in tribal lands and lands within which a tribe or tribes possess rights reserved or protected by federal treaty, statute, or executive order.

(iii) All affected federally recognized Indian tribes may submit to the department of ecology a summary of tribal issues, questions, concerns, or other statements regarding the project, which must become part of the official files maintained by the department of ecology for the coordinated permitting process. The summary does not limit what issues affected federally recognized Indian tribes may raise in the consultation process.

(iv) The notification and offer to initiate discussion must be documented by the department of ecology and delivered to the department of archaeology and historic preservation, the department of fish and wildlife, and to the affected federally recognized Indian tribe or tribes. If the discussions pursuant to (b)(ii) of this subsection do not occur, the department of ecology must document the reason why the discussion or discussions did not occur.

(v) Nothing in this section may be interpreted to require the disclosure of information that is exempt from disclosure pursuant to RCW 42.56.300 or federal law, including section 304 of the national historic preservation act of 1966. Any information that is exempt from disclosure pursuant to RCW 42.56.300 or federal law, including section 304 of the national historic preservation act of 1966, shall not become part of publicly available coordinated permitting process files.

(2) The department of ecology must identify overburdened communities, as defined in RCW 70A.02.010, which may be potentially affected by clean energy projects participating in the coordinated permitting process. The department of ecology must verify these communities have been meaningfully engaged in the regulatory processes in a timely manner by participating agencies and their comments considered for determining potential impacts.

Findings—Intent—2023 c 230: See note following RCW 43.394.010.

(1) Nothing in this chapter:

(a) Prohibits an applicant, a project proponent, a state agency, a local government, or a federally recognized Indian tribe from entering into a nondisclosure agreement to protect confidential business information, trade secrets, financial information, or other proprietary information;

(b) Limits or affects other statutory provisions specific to any state agency related to that agency's procedures and protocols related to the identification, designation, or disclosure of information identified as confidential business information, trade secrets, financial information, or other proprietary information;

(c) Limits or affects the provisions of chapter 42.56 RCW as they apply to information or nondisclosure agreements obtained by a state agency under this chapter; or

(d) Relieves the responsible official under chapter 43.21C RCW for an action of the official's responsibilities under that chapter.

(2) The decisions by the department of commerce to designate a clean energy project of statewide significance must be made available to the public. Regardless of any exemptions otherwise set forth in RCW 42.56.270, publicly shared information must include the designee's name, a brief description of the project, the intended project location, a description of climate and economic development benefits to the state and communities therein, a tribal engagement plan, a community engagement plan, and a community benefit agreement if applicable.

(3) The department of commerce may terminate a designation of a clean energy project of statewide significance for reasons that include, but are not limited to, failure to comply with requirements of the designation or the emergence of new information that significantly alters the department of commerce's assessment of the applicant's application, project, or project proponent. The department of commerce must notify the applicant, project proponent, and the department of ecology of the termination in writing within 30 days.

(4) Nothing in this chapter affects the jurisdiction of the energy facility site evaluation council under chapter 80.50 RCW.

(5) This chapter does not limit or abridge the powers and duties granted to a participating permit agency under the law or laws that authorizes or requires the agency to issue a permit for a project. Each participating permit agency retains its authority to make all decisions on all substantive matters with regard to the respective component permit that is within its scope of its responsibility including, but not limited to, the determination of permit application completeness, permit approval or approval with conditions, or permit denial.

Findings—Intent—2023 c 230: See note following RCW 43.394.010.