WA People
BILL · 2023–24 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESHB 2131

HB 2131: Thermal energy networks

Promoting the establishment of thermal energy networks.

Summary

  • Allows gas and most electric utilities to own and operate thermal energy networks (TENs), with oversight from the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) for investor-owned utilities (IOU) and with oversight from governing bodies for consumer-owned utilities.
  • Establishes a TEN pilot project program in which the UTC must review projects according to specified criteria, the Department of Commerce may award grants to gas companies, IOU gas companies must ask for pilot projects in requests for proposals, and the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee must evaluate and report on the program after three years.
  • Amends a gas company's obligation to serve gas to customers that have access to a TEN by providing thermal energy instead of gas, upon petition of a gas company and subject to UTC approval.
  • Authorizes gas and combination utilities to combine gas operations and TENs into a single rate base with approval from the UTC.

From the Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report (ESHB 2131), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 348, Laws of 2024
  1. IntroducedJan 8, 2024
  2. Out of committeeFeb 5, 2024
  3. Passed HouseFeb 9, 2024
  4. Passed SenateMar 1, 2024
  5. GovernorMar 28, 2024
  6. LawMar 28, 2024
Prime sponsor
Alex Ramel (D-40)
Introduced
January 8, 2024 in the House
Last action
March 28, 2024
Session law
Chapter 348, Laws of 2024
Companion bill
SB 6138
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 2131, ESHB 2131

AN ACT Relating to promoting the establishment of thermal energy networks;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Alex Ramel (D-40)

6 co-sponsors (6 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Vandana Slatter D-48Tarra Simmons D-23Julia Reed D-36Marcus Riccelli D-3Beth Doglio D-22David Hackney D-11

Votes

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 9, 2024
Version voted on: ESHB 2131
97 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat58000
Republican39001
How each member voted

Yea (97)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed March 1, 2024
Version voted on: ESHB 2131
49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29000
Republican20000
How each member voted

Yea (49)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed March 5, 2024
Version voted on: ESHB 2131
96 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat58000
Republican38001
How each member voted

Yea (96)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/6/2024. (ESHB 2131)
  2. Chapter 348, 2024 Laws. (ESHB 2131)
  3. Governor signed. (ESHB 2131)
  4. President signed. (ESHB 2131)
  5. Delivered to Governor. (ESHB 2131)
  6. Speaker signed. (ESHB 2131)
  7. House concurred in Senate amendments. (ESHB 2131)
  8. Passed final passage; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESHB 2131)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESHB 2131)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESHB 2131)
  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESHB 2131)
  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESHB 2131)
  13. Minority; without recommendation. (ESHB 2131)
  14. Minority; do not pass. (ESHB 2131)
  15. WM - Majority; do pass. (ESHB 2131)
  16. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESHB 2131)
  17. Referred to Ways & Means. (ESHB 2131)
  18. Minority; without recommendation. (ESHB 2131)
  19. Minority; do not pass. (ESHB 2131)
  20. And refer to Ways & Means. (ESHB 2131)
  21. ENET - Majority; do pass. (ESHB 2131)
  22. First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology. (ESHB 2131)
  23. Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESHB 2131)
  24. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESHB 2131)
  25. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESHB 2131)
  26. 1st substitute bill substituted. (ESHB 2131)
  27. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  28. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESHB 2131)
  29. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  30. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESHB 2131)
  31. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
  32. CB - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Environment & Energy. (ESHB 2131)
  33. Minority; do not pass. (ESHB 2131)
  34. CB - Executive action taken by committee. (ESHB 2131)
  35. CB - Executive action taken by committee.
  36. Minority; do not pass.
  37. CB - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Environment & Energy.
  38. Referred to Capital Budget. (ESHB 2131)
  39. Referred to Capital Budget.
  40. ENVI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESHB 2131)
  41. Minority; without recommendation. (ESHB 2131)
  42. ENVI - Executive action taken by committee.
  43. Minority; without recommendation.
  44. ENVI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  45. First reading, referred to Environment & Energy.
  46. Prefiled for introduction.

HB 2131 in other sessions

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

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