WA People
BILL · 2017–18 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESSB 5470

SB 5470: Geothermal exploration

Advancing the development of renewable energy by improving the permitting process for geothermal resources exploration.

Summary

  • Allows a single permit and permit fee to cover all core holes for a project gathering geothermal data.
  • Removes the geothermal permit fee, hearing, and notice requirements for core holes that are drilled more than 750 feet into the bedrock or the discovery of geothermal energy.
  • Removes the public notice and hearing requirements to drill or redrill a well, and instead requires the Department of Natural Resources to review an application for drilling a well as the lead agency under the State Environmental Policy Act.

From the Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill Report (ESSB 5470), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 259, Laws of 2017
  1. IntroducedJan 25, 2017
  2. Out of committeeFeb 10, 2017
  3. Passed SenateMar 1, 2017
  4. Passed HouseApr 10, 2017
  5. GovernorMay 8, 2017
  6. LawMay 8, 2017
Prime sponsor
Senator (R-8)
Introduced
January 25, 2017 in the Senate
Last action
May 8, 2017
Session law
Chapter 259, Laws of 2017
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5470, ESSB 5470

AN ACT Relating to advancing the development of renewable energy by improving the permitting process for geothermal resources exploration;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Senator (R-8)

7 co-sponsors (2 Democrats, 5 Republicans)

Steve Hobbs D-44Senator R-18Senator R-2Dean Takko D-19Doug Ericksen R-42Senator R-15Mark Schoesler R-9

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 1, 2017
Version voted on: ESSB 5470
49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat25000
Republican24000
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 10, 2017
Version voted on: ESSB 5470
98 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat50000
Republican48000
How each member voted

Yea (98)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 17, 2017
Version voted on: ESSB 5470
48 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat24001
Republican24000
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 7/23/2017. (ESSB 5470)
  2. Chapter 259, 2017 Laws. (ESSB 5470)
  3. Governor signed. (ESSB 5470)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (ESSB 5470)
  5. Speaker signed. (ESSB 5470)
  6. President signed. (ESSB 5470)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESSB 5470)
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments. (ESSB 5470)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 98; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESSB 5470)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5470)
  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments. (ESSB 5470)
  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESSB 5470)
  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESSB 5470)
  14. ENVI - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (ESSB 5470)
  15. First reading, referred to Environment (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report). (ESSB 5470)
  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESSB 5470)
  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5470)
  18. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESSB 5470)
  19. 1st substitute bill substituted. (ESSB 5470)
  20. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  21. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESSB 5470)
  22. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  23. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESSB 5470)
  24. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  25. Minority; without recommendation. (ESSB 5470)
  26. EET - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESSB 5470)
  27. EET - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  28. Minority; without recommendation.
  29. First reading, referred to Energy, Environment & Telecommunications.

SB 5470 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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