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Bill to expand Pacific Northwest biomass RECs draws support from facility operators and opposition from clean-power advocates
Summary
House Bill 17-12 would allow certain older biomass facilities in the Pacific Northwest to qualify renewable energy credits for Washington utilities under the Energy Independence Act; operators said the change could keep facilities operating and reduce wildfire fuel.
House Bill 17-12, aimed at changing how "qualified biomass energy" is counted under the state Energy Independence Act (EIA), drew sharply divided testimony at a committee hearing.
Megan McFadden, committee staff, summarized the bill: the EIA requires utilities with 25,000 or more customers to meet renewable targets, and biomass is an eligible renewable resource when it meets specific conditions. The proposed change would alter the geographic and delivery requirements for older biomass facilities so that electricity from certain Pacific Northwest facilities could count for Washington utilities’ compliance.
Representative Kevin Waters, the bill’s sponsor, said targeted changes would help small…
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