Senate approves bill to create a state transmission authority amid debate over eminent domain and wildfire risk

Senator Hunt introduced Substitute Senate Bill 6,355, which would create a Washington Electric Transmission Authority to coordinate transmission planning and partner with utilities, tribes, labor and private developers on major projects. He described the measure as necessary to unlock investment, create family-wage jobs, reduce permitting delays and enable clean-energy delivery across Washington.

Senator Hunt cited examples from other states and argued transmission bottlenecks are constraining renewable growth. He said the authority would help avoid costly delays that ultimately land in ratepayers' bills and would support grid reliability.

Opponents voiced several concerns. Senator Behnke and others warned that the proposed authority would be an unelected board with broad powers, including eminent domain, and that the bill lacked clear fiscal sideboards and an adequate fiscal note. Senator Behnke also warned of wildfire risks from additional high-voltage lines and questioned whether existing federal and state entities (e.g., Bonneville Power Administration, UTCs) could be better leveraged.

Floor amendments (including 0843 and 0845) were debated but not adopted. After roll call, the clerk reported 30 ayes and 19 nays and the substitute was declared passed by constitutional majority.

Sponsor remarks focused on jobs, affordability, reliability and meeting clean-energy goals; opponents called for tighter accountability, clearer fiscal analysis, and protections for landowners and wildfire mitigation. The bill now proceeds to enrollment and final enactment steps as determined by the legislative process.