Washington’s Office of Renewable Fuels Legislation

In April 2022, Washington adopted SB 5910, establishing the statewide Office of Renewable Fuels within the Department of Commerce to support renewable fuel and electrolytic hydrogen development. The Office of Renewable Fuels’ duties is tasked with developing a plan by December 1, 2023 addressing hydrogen permitting, procurement, and potential pilots. The Office is also tasked with applying for federal funding opportunities, including funding to develop a regional clean hydrogen hub in Washington state. Four such national hubs were authorized in 2021’s infrastructure bill.

SB5910 also includes provisions authorizing public and municipal utility districts to produce, use, sell, and distribute green electrolytic hydrogen (hydrogen produced through electrolysis, rather than a conversion process from a fossil fuel feedstock); and adding the production of green electrolytic hydrogen to a number of existing tax exemptions that apply to the production of renewable hydrogen.