HB 2002: Energy infrastructure siting

Summary

• Requires lead agencies reviewing a clean energy project under the State Environmental Policy Act to provide the project proponent an opportunity, prior to issuing a threshold determination that a project will have a significant environmental impact, to amend the proposal to mitigate the impacts that would cause a threshold determination of significance.
• Limits the issues and evidence that may be considered in certain clean energy project regulatory decision appeals to the Pollution Control Hearings Board and Shoreline Hearings Board.
• Exempts Critical Electric Infrastructure Information designated under the Federal Power Act from public disclosure under the Public Records Act.
• Prohibits local governments from requiring project applicants to demonstrate the necessity or utility of a project proposed by an electric utility, other than to require the submission of required necessity or utility assessments or approvals from other government regulators.

From the House Bill Analysis 2022 (HB 2002), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗