Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 18, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Jim Luce, Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, 360-695-0584

Gov. Gary Locke Announces New Energy Facility Siting Standards

Gov. Gary Locke today announced the implementation of new rules for Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) regulated major energy facilities in Washington state for seismicity, noise, fish and wildlife, wetlands, water and air quality.

Locke called for better protection of the environment and streamlining of EFSEC’s regulatory process. EFSEC licenses major power plants of 350 megawatts and greater and renewable resources like wind.

“These new rules will work to better protect the environment and help the public better understand siting requirements and procedures for energy facilities,” Locke said. “State government must continue to be among the leaders in providing long-term social, economic and environmental benefits. We need to continue to educate our citizens and work to nurture clean technologies and industries in our state.”

New siting standards include ensuring energy facilities will produce minimal adverse effects on the environment, enhancing the public’s opportunity to enjoy the recreational benefits of the air, water and land resources and providing abundant power at reasonable costs.

Locke also signed Substitute House Bill 3141 into law earlier this year making Washington state the national leader in greenhouse gas mitigation for power plants.

“Under Governor Locke’s leadership, EFSEC has streamlined the regulatory process and we can now license energy facilities quicker while paying equal attention to the protection of the environment and the public’s interest,” said EFSEC Chair Jim Luce. “I’m pleased that the council was able to meet the governor’s expectations.”

In 2001, EFSEC started a collaborative process with industry, environmental, public and private interest groups as well as state, county and city governments to develop standards for siting major energy facilities in Washington state. EFSEC adopted changes to its regulations after receiving public comment on several preliminary drafts of the rules.

The new siting standards and amended administrative rule changes can be seen on EFSEC’s website at www.efsec.wa.gov/rulerev_new.html. EFSEC will publish and distribute a consolidated booklet of its new and amended rules and laws in the near future.

EFSEC is an independent state board with a chair appointed by the Governor, and members appointed by five state agencies, responsible for regulating large energy facilities. Additional information regarding EFSEC, its rules and standards development, the projects currently under review, and other information concerning EFSEC can be found on its website at www.efsec.wa.gov.

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