Bill would replace personal‑property taxes on large wind/solar with an excise tied to nameplate capacity and create local investment grants

A complex proposal to change how large wind and solar projects are taxed in Washington drew extensive testimony and sharp questions on Feb. 24 as House Finance took up House Bill 19‑60.

Under the bill, personal property used exclusively for generation or storage at qualified renewable energy facilities (defined in the bill as solar or wind facilities with at least 50 MW nameplate capacity) would be exempt from property taxes beginning in 2027. In place of the property tax on that personal property, the bill would impose a renewable energy excise tax on qualified systems beginning Jan. 1, 2027, with rates that vary by technology and age and annual inflation adjustments thereafter.

Committee staff said the excise revenues would be apportioned between the state and counties; state receipts would be deposited in a new renewable energy local benefit account and local receipts in a local community investment account to be distributed to counties and…