Washington’s 2019 SB 5116

Washington’s 2019 SB 5116 forces utilities to provide 100% carbon neutral power by 2030 (although 20% of this obligation may be met by the purchase of RECs, the payment of $100/ton administrative penalty, or the funding of energy transformation projects). This 20% leeway will gradually disappear by 2045. A rolling cost cap may potentially delay full compliance, but mathematically cannot stop it.

The Utilities and Transportation Commission launched various dockets to deal with implementation of SB 5116, including dockets related to integrated resource plans (UE 190698), purchase of electricity (UE 190837), and clean energy implementation plans (UE 191023).