Sen. Matt Boehnke, Rep. April Connors, and Rep. Stephanie Barnard, will host a town hall meeting at The Arc of the Tri-Cities (1455 SE Fowler St. Richland, WA 99352) on Saturday, March 11, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
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The 8th District legislative team will answer questions and provide constituents with an update on the 2023 legislative session.

Recent Action of Note

• HB 1258: Proposed to raise cap on allocation of sales tax dedicated to tourism reinvestment and reduce non-state match to fund utilization. Click here for more information on the bill

Last week, Representative Ryu spoke on House Bill 1258 – which focuses on remedying impacts to the tourism industry over the last few years and the merits of raising the cap for retail sales tax dedicated to reinvestment in state tourism activities. In addition to raising the cap allocated from sales tax on tourism activities to the state tourism marketing agency, it would also reduce the 2-to-1 non state fund match on expenditures to 1-to-1. Notable testimony included the quoted $9.5B in economic impact to state and local economies from Washington Wine, and its contributions to tourism. This bill heads to executive session on Wednesday February 8th. Click here to submit public comment

Bills to Watch

• HB 1584: Proposed to add ‘Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technology’ to State Energy Strategy considerations for cleaner energy sources. Click here for more information on the bill

Testimony will be heard this afternoon (2/7) at 4 p.m. on HB 1584, sponsored by 8th district Representative Stephanie Barnard, regarding the addition of advanced nuclear reactor technology to the State Energy Strategy. 

2/7/23 Scheduled for Public Hearing in House Energy and Environment at 4 p.m.; opportunity to comment - Click here to submit public comment​

• HB 1505: Proposed to create a state alternative jet fuels working group to assess feasibility of manufacturing in Washington and proposing a tax credit for manufacturing meeting certain thresholds. Click here for more information on the bill

HB 1505 will also be heard this afternoon (2/7) at 4 p.m. by the House Committee on Environment and Energy regarding the formation of an alternative jet fuels workgroup, and consideration on an Occupation Tax and Public Utility District Tax credit for producers manufacturing minimum quantities of alternative jet fuel and encouraging location of said facilities in counties with populations less than 650,000. 

2/7/23 Scheduled for Public Hearing in House Energy and Environment at 4 p.m.; opportunity to comment - Click here to submit public comment

A public hearing has been scheduled in the House Environment and Energy Committee for Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 10:00 a.m. for House Bill 1871 concerning the siting of alternative energy facilities. TCRCC Supports this bill and calls on members to participate in the legislative process by testifying at the hearing, submitting written comments, or having your position noted for the record. 

Bill sponsor Mark Klicker, 16th Legislative District Representative, introduced the bill after recognizing the need for equity in the siting process of the clean energy movement. Klicker introduced House Bill 1871 on Friday in the House Environment and Energy Committee. However, due to a shortage of time, public testimony on the bill was postponed till Tuesday, Jan. 25.

HB 1871 includes a short-term moratorium on the siting of alternative energy facilities (including the Horse Heaven Wind Farm) until December 2023, to establish a legislative task force that would: 

• Investigate current inequity between clean energy producing counties and clean energy consuming counties; and  
• Research how inequity might expand dramatically with the current approval process that considers each project in isolation rather than as part of a cumulative impact that will occur over decades 

HB 1871 would not impact the development or siting of small modular nuclear reactors. 

"Too many rural counties are being forced to house alternative energy facilities but are seeing nothing in return. It's time to revisit the process to determine where these sites are located and who is benefitting from them," said Klicker. "We need to create a plan that works for our rural counties and the people that live there, and not just the counties that use the energy." 

Those wishing to submit written comments, testify remotely on the bill, or let their position be noted for the legislative record, may go to: https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/House. Select "Environment and Energy Committee" with the meeting schedule of 01/25/22 8:00 am, and then select "HB 1871 Alt. energy facility siting."

Thank you to everyone who braved the snow on Wednesday, January 5 to attend the Elected Leaders Reception at the REACH Museum. A special thanks to Breshears Professional Photography for snapping these great photos!

The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a Public Opinion Survey regarding the Horse Heaven Wind Project which elicited 2,220 responses over a two-week period. The survey aimed to help determine local sentiment about the proposed project and to identify issues of greatest interest and concern to the region.

The results show overwhelming opposition to the project, with 78 percent of respondents expressing that the Horse Heaven Wind Project is not worth the personal, environmental, and economic impacts on the community (view results below), Survey data also reveals community concerns regarding the level of impact that specific Horse Heaven Wind Project outcomes (such as viewshed, turbine disposal, wildlife, etc.) will have on the region.

Scout Clean Energy is seeking permit authorization through the Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) for the Horse Heaven Wind Project. The project includes up to 244 turbine locations, two solar arrays, and battery storage systems covering 24 miles of viewshed along the Horse Heaven Hills in Benton County.

The Regional Chamber has taken a position opposing the Horse Heaven Wind Project and has sent a letter to Governor Inslee and EFSEC, urging them not to advance the project.