Tag Archives: PUDs

Governor signs Hawkins’ utility wildfire bill

A proposal introduced by 12^th District Sen. Brad Hawkins to implement recommendations of a key electric utilities wildfire group has been signed into law this week by Gov. Jay Inslee.

The legislation, Senate Bill 5158, directs state Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz to work with the Utility Wildland Fire Prevention Advisory Committee to implement recommendations recently offered in this report issued in December 2020. According to Hawkins’ proposal, this is to be accomplished by Aug. 1 and the group’s work will be maintained and updated on the Department of Natural Resources’ website. Hawkins’ bill also will build a process into statute for future collaboration between utilities and DNR and calls for a biennial report to the Legislature about ongoing work.

The bill was passed Feb. 26 by the Senate on a 46-0 vote. On April 8, the House added a committee amendment before passing the revised measure 98-0. The Senate voted 48-0 on April 14 to concur, or agree, with the House-amended version, sending the bill to the governor.

“I’m pleased the governor has signed into law this important bill that will help us better address wildfires in the 12^th District and other wildfire-prone areas,” said Hawkins. “Electric utilities throughout our state have shown strong support for this bill, including by our own Chelan County PUD. If our utilities and DNR can implement these key recommendations to avoid wildfires and utility liability as well as keep communication flowing at all levels of government, that could be a huge benefit for our state and its PUDs.

“These recommendations are very important to many of my utilities, especially considering the 12^th District’s recent history of devastating wildfires,” added Hawkins. “It is important to keep the momentum going on this issue, finalize the group’s recommendations, and ensure ongoing communications with the Legislature.

“I was very excited to partner with Chelan PUD and DNR on this bill. Commissioner Hilary Franz and her staff have been awesome to work with in past years and we accomplished some great things together in my first Senate term. Passage of this bill is a terrific way to start my second term in the Senate.”

During Senate Bill 5158’s public hearings, Chelan County PUD General Manager Steve Wright provided key testimony and appreciates Hawkins’ sponsorship of the bill.

“It’s great to see good public policy such as Senate Bill 5158 succeed with strong bipartisan support. Senator Hawkins’ dogged pursuit of this legislation is what made it happen,” said Wright.

“I appreciate the hard work Senator Hawkins put into this very important bill,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, whose agency led the Utility Wildland Fire Prevention Advisory Committee. “He understands the importance of this collaboration and the importance of continuing to find solutions over the long term. This bill ensures the recommendations put forward by the committee will continue to yield results for the residents of Washington state.”

Hawkins is proud of his strong partnership with DNR. During Hawkins’ first term as 12^th District senator, three of his bills related to forest health or wildfire prevention were passed by the Legislature and signed into law. DNR worked diligently alongside him for each effort.

In 2017, the Legislature approved SB 5546, which directs DNR to set up a framework for assessing the health of fire-prone lands and treating them. It sets a specific goal of assessing and treating 1 million acres over 16 years, most likely through prescribed fire and mechanical thinning. The bill also includes a stakeholder process and biennial progress reviews to the Legislature.
The second measure, Senate Bill 5270, which was passed unanimously by both legislative chambers and signed into law by the governor in 2017, removes the “temporary” label from the contract-timber harvest program operated by DNR. The program allows the agency to hire someone to harvest timber and sort the logs, after which DNR can sell them. It began in 2003 and was expanded by lawmakers in 2009.
In 2018, SB 6211 became law. It gives DNR immediate authority to handle revenue and authorize spending under the Good Neighbor Authority agreement signed by DNR and the U.S. Forest Service in 2017.

(Photo caption: A hillside burns during the Chelan Complex and First Creek fires near Chelan in August 2015.)

Senate unanimously approves Hawkins’ utility wildfire bill

Legislation introduced by 12^th District Sen. Brad Hawkins to implement recommendations by the Electric Utilities Wildland Fire Prevention Task Force on ways to prevent wildfires was approved today 46-0 by the Senate.

Senate Bill 5158 would direct state Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz to work with the Utility Wildland Fire Prevention Advisory Committee to implement recommendations recently offered in this report issued in December 2020. According to Hawkins’ proposal, this would be accomplished by Aug. 1 and the group’s work would be maintained and updated on the Department of Natural Resources’ website.

“I’m pleased the Senate has passed this important bill for my district and other wildfire-prone parts of our state,” said Hawkins. “Our state’s electric utilities have shown strong support for this bill, which is very helpful. If our utilities and DNR can keep working together to implement these key recommendations to avoid wildfires and utility liability, that would be a huge benefit for our state and its PUDs.

“These recommendations are very important to many of my utilities, especially considering the 12^th District’s recent history of devastating wildfires,” added Hawkins. “It is important to keep the momentum going for this group, finalize its recommendations, and ensure ongoing communications with the Legislature.

“I’m very excited to be partnering with Chelan PUD and DNR on this bill. Commissioner Hilary Franz and her staff have been awesome to work with in past years and we accomplished some great things together in my first Senate term. I look forward to keeping that going this year as I begin my next term.”

During Senate Bill 5158’s public hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 8 (click here to view hearing), Chelan County PUD General Manager Steve Wright provided key testimony and appreciates Hawkins’ sponsorship of the bill. Wright said, “Commendation to Senator Hawkins. This is an important step to address the collaboration necessary to address a pervasive risk like wildfire that could impact everyone in Chelan County.”

George Caan, executive director of the Washington PUD Association, agrees with the importance of this bill.

“The Washington PUD Association supports Senate Bill 5158,” Caan said. “This legislation will continue the important collaboration between the Department of Natural Resources and electric utilities, including public utility districts, to protect our electricity systems and our state forests from the threat of wildfires.”

Franz previously spoke to the bill and her positive working relationship with Hawkins. Franz said, “A big ‘thank you’ to Senator Hawkins and his leadership on this bill and to all the stakeholders who took time to be part of the task force during a year of uncertainty. We had long-overdue and difficult conversations that brought us to consensus on many issues that will support all our wildfire prevention work as well as post-wildfire processes. The recommendations in this bill will solidify our work and ensure we keep the momentum of the task force going.”

In 2017, the Legislature approved SB 5546, which directs DNR to set up a framework for assessing the health of fire-prone lands and treating them. It sets a specific goal of assessing and treating 1 million acres over 16 years, most likely through prescribed fire and mechanical thinning. The bill also includes a stakeholder process and biennial progress reviews to the Legislature.
The second measure, Senate Bill 5270, which was passed unanimously by both legislative chambers and signed into law by the governor in 2017, removes the “temporary” label from the contract-timber harvest program operated by DNR. The program allows the agency to hire someone to harvest timber and sort the logs, after which DNR can sell them. It began in 2003 and was expanded by lawmakers in 2009.
In 2018, SB 6211 became law. It gives DNR immediate authority to handle revenue and authorize spending under the Good Neighbor Authority agreement signed by DNR and the U.S. Forest Service in 2017.

Senate Bill 5158 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

(Photo caption: Firefighters battle the Chelan Complex and First Creek wildfires near Chelan in 2015.)

Ways and Means Committee passes Hawkins’ bill to implement utility-wildfire group’s recommendations

Another hurdle has been cleared for legislation sponsored by 12^th District Sen. Brad Hawkins to implement recommendations by the Electric Utilities Wildland Fire Prevention Task Force on ways to prevent wildfires.

Senate Bill 5158 was approved late today by the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The proposal now goes to the Senate Rules Committee, which acts as a final gate before bills can reach the Senate floor for a full Senate vote.

Hawkins’ proposal would direct state Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz to work with the Utility Wildland Fire Prevention Advisory Committee to implement recommendations recently offered in this report issued in December 2020. According to Hawkins’ bill, this would be accomplished by Aug. 1 and the group’s work would be maintained and updated on the Department of Natural Resources’ website.

“I’m very excited that the bill has been approved by the Senate’s Ways and Means Committee, the committee that develops the Senate budget,” said Hawkins. “This is a very important step in the process because it’s an indicator that it could be included and funded in the budget. Our state’s electric utilities have stepped up in a big way to support this bill, which is very helpful. If our utilities and DNR can keep working together to implement these key recommendations to avoid wildfires and utility liability, that would be a huge benefit for our state and its PUDs.

“These recommendations are very important to many of my utilities, especially considering the 12^th District’s recent history of devastating wildfires,” added Hawkins. “It is important to keep the momentum going for this group, finalize its recommendations, and ensure ongoing communications with the Legislature.

During Senate Bill 5158’s public hearing in the Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 8 (click here to view hearing), Chelan County PUD General Manager Steve Wright provided key testimony and appreciates Hawkins’ sponsorship of the bill. Wright said, “Commendation to Senator Hawkins. This is an important step to address the collaboration necessary to address a pervasive risk like wildfire that could impact everyone in Chelan County.”

George Caan, executive director of the Washington PUD Association, agrees with the importance of this bill.

Under SB 5158, advisory committee membership would include representatives of entities providing retail electric service, including:

one person representing each investor-owned utility;
two persons representing municipal utilities;
two persons representing public utility districts;
two persons representing rural electric cooperatives;
one person representing small forestland owners;
one person representing industrial forestland owners;
other persons with expertise in wildland fire risk reduction and prevention; and
no more than four other persons designated by the public lands commissioner.

In 2017, the Legislature approved SB 5546, which directs DNR to set up a framework for assessing the health of fire-prone lands and treating them. It sets a specific goal of assessing and treating 1 million acres over 16 years, most likely through prescribed fire and mechanical thinning. The bill also includes a stakeholder process and biennial progress reviews to the Legislature.
The second measure, Senate Bill 5270, which was passed unanimously by both legislative chambers and signed into law by the governor in 2017, removes the “temporary” label from the contract-timber harvest program operated by DNR. The program allows the agency to hire someone to harvest timber and sort the logs, after which DNR can sell them. It began in 2003 and was expanded by lawmakers in 2009.
In 2018, SB 6211 became law. It gives DNR immediate authority to handle revenue and authorize spending under the Good Neighbor Authority agreement signed by DNR and the U.S. Forest Service in 2017.

(Photo caption: A hillside burns during the Chelan Complex and First Creek fires near Chelan in August 2015.)

Hawkins receives statewide PUD award for hydropower advocacy

The Washington Public Utility Districts Association (WPUDA) has recognized Sen. Brad Hawkins for his efforts and legislative leadership for PUDs throughout the state by presenting him with its 2019 Legislative Champion Award during the association’s Annual Conference Banquet at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver last night.

“I am beyond excited to receive this award and am so thankful for the support of our public utility districts statewide,” Hawkins said. “Receiving this award is so meaningful to me, given the proud history and incredible contributions of PUDs in our area. I’m proud to be an advocate for them and the customers they serve.”

The award recognizes a member of the Washington State Legislature or Congress for leadership in pursuing passage of legislation beneficial to PUDs. In the award letter from WPUDA, Executive Director George Caan wrote: “This award recognizes your strong commitment to advocating in the 2019 legislative session for policies that enhance the ability of public utility districts to serve the needs of their communities. Your leadership as prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5588, your quick introduction to add hydropower as a qualifying renewable resource in the 100% clean energy bill, and your dedication to pursuing tax parity for hydropower as the prime sponsor and staunch advocate of Senate Bill 6012 was instrumental in paving the way for good policy that supports the foundational principles on which PUDs were created.”

“During the 2019 legislative session Senator Hawkins demonstrated a commitment to advancing good public policy that supports the ability of Washington’s public utility districts to meet the needs of the communities they serve. His work is truly deserving of the WPUDA 2019 Legislative Champion Award.” – George Caan, Executive Director of the Washington PUD Association

“Senator Hawkins is a great friend to public power and Washington state’s PUDs, as well as a skilled and trusted advocate for his 12^th District constituents. He understands the complex issues we face and the value of hydropower in helping to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining reliable service and reasonable electric rates. On behalf of Chelan PUD’s Board of Commissioners and our staff and customer-owners, congratulations to Senator Hawkins.” – Steve Wright, General Manager, Chelan County PUD

“Senator Hawkins is a champion of public power! He really deserves this award. He is always looking out for his constituents and definitely has an impact in the communities he serves. We appreciate Senator Hawkins’ leadership and relentless effort to get our renewable hydrogen bill through the Legislature. Thank you and congratulations Senator Hawkins!” – Gary Ivory, General Manager, Douglas County PUD

Hawkins to receive Washington PUD Association “Legislative Champion” Award

The Washington Public Utility Districts Association (WPUDA) is recognizing Sen. Brad Hawkins for his efforts and legislative leadership for PUDs throughout the state.

“I was super excited when I got the call from the PUD Association,” said Hawkins, whose 12^th District includes four PUDs (Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan). “PUDs provide an incredible benefit to our region with their reliable, low-cost services. Locally, our PUDs are superb stewards of public resources and top-notch organizations. I’m honored to be selected as a champion for the PUDs because standing with the PUDs is standing with the people.”

Hawkins will receive the WPUDA’s 2019 Legislative Champion Award during the association’s Annual Conference Banquet on Dec. 5 at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver. The award recognizes a member of the Washington State Legislature or Congress for leadership in pursuing passage of legislation beneficial to PUDs.

In the award letter from WPUDA, Executive Director George Caan wrote: “This award recognizes your strong commitment to advocating in the 2019 legislative session for policies that enhance the ability of public utility districts to serve the needs of their communities. Your leadership as prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5588, your quick introduction to add hydropower as a qualifying renewable resource in the 100% clean energy bill, and your dedication to pursuing tax parity for hydropower as the prime sponsor and staunch advocate of Senate Bill 6012 was instrumental in paving the way for good policy that supports the foundational principles on which PUDs were created.”

George Caan, Executive Director of the Washington PUD Association

Steve Wright, General Manager, Chelan County PUD

Gary Ivory, General Manager, Douglas County PUD

Governor signs Hawkins’ bill allowing PUD production and sale of renewable hydrogen

Gov. Jay Inslee today signed the bill introduced by 12th District state Sen. Brad Hawkins that provides authority to the Douglas County PUD and other Washington PUDs to produce and sell a new type of clean energy. Attendees of today’s bill signing included officials from public utility districts across the state, company representatives from Toyota, members of the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance, and key legislators who supported Hawkins’ bill.

Substitute Senate Bill 5588 authorizes PUDs to produce, distribute and sell renewable hydrogen. It also defines “renewable hydrogen” in statute as “hydrogen produced using renewable resources both as the source of the hydrogen and the source for the energy input into the production process.” The House of Representatives passed it 97-0 earlier this month after the Senate approved it 47-0 in February.

“This new law will allow our hydropower utilities to lead our state in another form of clean energy – renewable hydrogen,” said Hawkins. “Our PUDs have been leaders in clean energy for decades, and this law will allow them to continue their positive and innovative work.”

The Douglas County PUD, which requested the bill, plans to use electrolysis to separate hydrogen molecules from oxygen molecules in water to produce renewable hydrogen. Renewable hydrogen does not produce carbon emissions when it is produced or consumed.

“In the springtime, our hydro utilities have been experiencing difficulties when flows are high on the Columbia River and Northwest wind and solar facilities generate large amounts of power,” said Hawkins. “Spilling excess water over our dams can adversely impact fish, and generating additional electricity in times of oversupply can hurt us economically. Douglas PUD hopes to create hydrogen using its surplus electricity and then sell it. This bill opens the door to making that possible.”

The bipartisan legislation has 32 co-sponsors, including 16 Democrats and 16 Republicans.

Company representatives bring Toyota Mirai to the state Capitol for demonstrations

Soon after the SSB 5588 bill-signing ceremony was completed, Hawkins, Inslee, and other legislators joined PUD representatives and other clean energy advocates for a hydrogen-vehicle demonstration outside the Capitol Building. Company representatives from Toyota were on hand with their Toyota Mirai, a fuel cell electric vehicle powered by hydrogen. Other legislators, legislative staff, and PUD commissioners were able to test drive the Mirai on the state Capitol Campus throughout the day.

Legislature approves Hawkins’ bill allowing PUD production and sale of renewable hydrogen

The Legislature has approved a bill introduced by 12th District state Sen. Brad Hawkins that would give authority to the Douglas County Public Utility District and other PUDs in Washington to produce and sell a new type of clean energy.

Substitute Senate Bill 5588 would authorize PUDs to produce, distribute and sell renewable hydrogen. The House of Representatives today voted 97-0 to pass the proposal. The Senate had approved it 47-0 in February. The proposal now goes to Gov. Jay Inslee for final consideration.

“I’m excited about the opportunity for PUDs to produce and sell renewable hydrogen,” said Hawkins. “Our PUDs have been leaders in clean energy for decades, and this bill would allow them to continue to lead with another form of clean energy. Renewable hydrogen can be used as a transportation fuel as well as for other purposes.” Hawkins noted that Toyota is among numerous stakeholders interested in the bill, and the Washington PUD Association supports Hawkins’ legislation.

The Douglas County PUD, which asked Hawkins to sponsor the bill, plans to use electrolysis to separate hydrogen molecules from oxygen molecules in water to produce renewable hydrogen. Renewable hydrogen does not produce carbon emissions when it is produced or consumed.

Officials with the Douglas County PUD and Renewable Hydrogen Alliance testified in favor of the bill during its March 14 public hearing in the House Environment and Energy Committee.

“Our hydro utilities have experienced difficulties in the springtime when flows are high on the Columbia River and when wind and solar generation are significant in the Pacific Northwest,” said Hawkins. “Spilling excess water over our dams can adversely impact fish, and generating additional electricity in times of oversupply can impact us economically because we are the owners of the dams. Douglas PUD hopes to create hydrogen using its surplus electricity and then sell it. This bill would help make that possible.”

The bipartisan bill has 32 co-sponsors, including 16 Democrats and 16 Republicans.

Hawkins’ renewable hydrogen bill among the first bills approved by Senate

The Douglas County Public Utility District and other PUDs in Washington could soon have the authority to produce and sell a new type of clean energy under a Senate-approved bill introduced by 12th District state Sen. Brad Hawkins.

Substitute Senate Bill 5588 would authorize PUDs to produce, distribute and sell renewable hydrogen. The Senate voted 47-0 today to approve it. The proposal now advances to the House of Representatives for consideration and is among the first Senate bills available for House consideration this session.

“Our PUDs have been leaders in clean energy for decades, and this bill would allow them to continue to lead with another form of clean energy,” said Hawkins. “Renewable hydrogen can be used as a transportation fuel as well as for other purposes.” Hawkins noted that Toyota is among numerous stakeholders interested in the bill.

Douglas PUD, which asked Hawkins to sponsor the bill, plans to use electrolysis to separate hydrogen molecules from oxygen molecules in water to produce renewable hydrogen. Renewable hydrogen does not produce carbon emissions when it is produced or consumed.

Officials with Douglas PUD and the Washington Public Utility Districts Association testified in favor of the bill during its public hearing in the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee Feb. 6.

“Our hydro utilities have experienced difficulties in the springtime when flows are high on the Columbia River and when wind generation is significant throughout the Pacific Northwest,” said Hawkins. “Spilling excess water over our dams can adversely impact fish, and selling power below cost can impact us economically because we are the owners of the dams. Douglas PUD hopes to create hydrogen from its surplus electricity and then sell it. This bill would help make that possible.”

The bipartisan bill has 32 co-sponsors, including 16 Democrats and 16 Republicans.

“I’m honored to have such strong bipartisan support behind this proposal,” said Hawkins. “I hope the House gives it the same strong approval that the Senate did today.”