b'Notable Bills that 2023 WPMA State Report Failed to Make Opposite Chamber Cutoff: In early April, two Senate Democrats (Senator Mark Mullet and Clean Energy (HB 1589) would have provided a pathway forSenator Joe Nguyen) introduced legislation dealing with the ex-Puget Sound Energy (PSE), the largest private utility in the state,empt fuel issue. SB 5766 would require Ecology to create a refund to discontinue retail natural gas service beginning July of 2023,portal by January 1, 2024 to implement the farmer fuel exemption although there was an exemption for certain manufacturing facili- and provides $50 million to fund the program that year. It also cal-ties. The legislation would have also authorized PSE to recover theculates the refund amount based on eight-tenths of one percent of costs of the existing gas system more quickly as customers shiftthe most recent auction settlement price multiplied by the number from gas-fired furnaces and water heaters to heat pumps whichgallons used by the farmer or agricultural transporter. The agri-meant higher costs for ratepayers. The bill was not brought up forcultural exemption must be administered through the remittance a vote by the Senate. program meaning it could not be taken at point of sale. In addition, businesses would be prohibited from listing the Climate Commit-Labor Practices Penalties (SSB 5110) sponsored by Sen. Karenment Act surcharge on billing statements and makes it a violation Keiser (D- Kent), would have created a private right of action forof the Consumer Protection Act if a business lists this surcharge on all actions under 49.44 RCW (prohibited practices for certain a billing statement. Finally, the bill creates a task force to broadly labor violations). The bill was amended to only apply to provisionslook at efforts and processes to implement the emission exemp-in the statute that have no criminal or civil penalties available. Thetions under the Climate Commitment Act.bill would have allowed the court to award injunctive relief, actualDue to opposition from various group, SB 5766 was pulled from damages, and a penalty of no less than $500 and no more thanthe hearing calendar and will not be addressed this session. So we $1,000. The bill was not passed by the opposite chamber deadline. are effectively back to square one on this issue, with only a few Senate Budget Proposal Includes Study on Fueldays left in session. Pricing in Washington State Ecology Confirms State Received Just ShyThe Senate also released their proposed transportation budget thisof $300 Million from First Auctionpast week. Included in the budget is $150,000 for the antitrustOn March 28, Ecology confirmed that the state raised division of the attorney generals office to convene a work group$299,983,267 through the sale of carbon allowances at the states to examine consumer fuel pricing in Washington state. The workfirst cap-and-invest auction that was held on February 28. Funds group must review issues to include, but are not limited to: (a) Pre- have been deposited in the state treasury. Ecology announced the vious studies and evaluations of fuel pricing in Washington state;results in their Public Proceeds Report.(b) Trends in fuel pricing in Washington state; (c) Factors causing fuel prices in Washington state to be higher than the national aver- The results of the auction were released earlier this month in an age and how these factors have changed over time; (d) MarginsAuction Summary Report. All 6,185,222 available allowances and profits at the fuel production, distribution, and retail levels; (e)were sold at a final settlement price of $48.50. The report, which is State tax policies and regulatory factors that may impact fuel pric- posted to Ecologys Auctions and Trading webpage, also included ing and make the states fuel marketplace more or less competitive;other information about market security and eligible participants.and (f) Potential reporting and audit requirements that would makeThe revenue raised is subject to appropriation by the Legislature, fuel pricing more transparent to Washington state consumers. Theand will be used to fund climate projects focused on clean trans-attorney generals office must report its findings and recommenda- portation, clean energy, climate resiliency, and environmental tions to the governors office and the appropriate policy and fiscaljustice initiatives.committees of the legislature by November 30, 2023.Update on Exempt Fuel Issue More information about how auction funding will be used is available on Ecologys Auction Proceeds webpage. The webpage Both the Senate and House fiscal committees rejected amendmentsincludes detailed information about the different accounts estab-to the budget this past week by Republicans to provide immedi- lished by law to house auction funding, and the specific climate ate relief by allocating $50 million to reimburse farmers who paidgoals each is designed to address.fuel surcharges under the Climate Commitment Act. The House,Thank you for all the efforts and support of our Marketer Member-however, adopted an amendment to their proposed budget to pro- ship in helping get through the complications our industry has been vide $500,000 to the Department of Agriculture to contract with afacing. This has been a monumentous year, and we could use your neutral, third-party facilitator to convene an advisory process. Thehelp with our PAC Fund! We will be asking for your support!purpose of the advisory process is to make recommendations to theSlegislature on a logistically practicable long-term process to ensureVery kindly, Lea N. McCullough, Executive Directorthat exempt fuel users are in fact exempt from paying the costsand Diana Carlen, Lobbyistembedded in exempt fuel prices that are attributable to the Climate Commitment ActNavigating a Carbon Free Futureallowance price.WPMA News / Post WPMAEXPO 202333'