Washington

Summary: The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission has adopted interconnection standards for distributed generation systems, including CHP, up to 20MW in size. Two separate tiers for interconnection exist; the first tier applies to systems smaller than 300kW. The second tier applies to systems between 300kW and 20MW, and generally follows the interconnection standards promulgated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Links:

• The full text of Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 480-108 is available here: Administrative Code
• For details about the interconnection standard, visit the DSIRE database

Contact:

Dick Byers
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
1300 South Evergreen Park Drive, S.W.
P.O. Box 47250
Olympia, WA 98504-7250
Phone: (360) 664-1209
E-Mail: dbyers@wutc.wa.gov
Web site: http://www.wutc.wa.gov

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Summary: Puget Sound Energy charges for the demand portion only of standby service via a contract for a specified amount of demand. This charge includes a moderate monthly demand charge. Energy charges are then assessed by an external provider through a contract. This setup is seen as neutral toward CHP. PacifiCorp also charges standby service for a contracted amount of demand via a high customer charge and a moderate monthly reservation charge. Actual usage is charged via moderate energy charges and monthly maximum demands. There is a high penalty for exceeding contract demand. This rate is seen as not favorable toward CHP.

Links:

• Puget Sound Energy’s Schedule 458 can be viewed here: Rate
• PacifiCorp’s Schedule 47T can be viewed here: Rate
• More information about best practices in utility rate design can be found on the EPA’s CHP Partnership website.

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Summary: Established by the voters of Washington State in 2006, the state’s Renewable Energy Standard includes a conservation target defined as “all available conservation that is cost-effective, reliable and feasible.” These targets must be developed by 2010. Highly efficient CHP systems – that is, systems with a useful thermal energy output of no less than 33% of the total energy output – count towards a utility’s conservation target.

Links:

• The full text of Initiative 937 can be found here: Initiative
• For more information, visit the EPA’s Combined Heat and Power Partnership website
• Additional detail on the standard can be found on the DSIRE database website

Contact:

Chuck Murray
Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development
Energy Policy Division
906 Columbia St. SW
PO Box 42525
Olympia, WA 98504-2525
Phone: (360) 725-3113
Fax: (360) 586-0049
E-Mail: chuckm@cted.wa.gov
Web site: http://www.cted.wa.gov

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Summary: Senate Bill 6001 required the Department of Ecology to develop an output-based methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions for all cogeneration facilities. The Department of Ecology did so and details are available in the state’s administrative code.

Links:

• Washington State Senate Bill 6001 can be read here: Legislation
• The regulations, definitions and calculating guidelines can be found in Part II of Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 173-407, available here: Administrative Code
• The EPA’s Combined Heat and Power Partnership website has additional information about this legislation

Contact:

Scott Boettcher
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
(360) 407-7564

Last Updated 08/27/2009

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