Section 43.136.058. Review of tax preferences for sales of machinery and equipment used in generating electricity.

(1) The intent of the tax preference provided in RCW 82.08.962 and 82.12.962 is to promote electricity generation by facilities with generating capacity of not less than one thousand watts, using renewable energy fuel sources in order to improve energy security and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Encouraging the development of more facilities that generate power from renewable energy has both immediate and long-term value to the state.

(2) As part of the joint legislative audit and review committee's 2019 tax preference reviews conducted under this chapter, the joint legislative audit and review committee must assess the performance of the tax preferences established in RCW 82.08.956 and 82.12.956 with reference to the intent and performance milestones established in this section.

(3) The department of revenue must provide the joint legislative audit and review committee with annual survey information and any other tax data necessary to conduct the review required in subsection (2) of this section. The Washington State University energy program, department of ecology, and other agencies, as requested, must cooperate with the committee by providing information to assist the committee's analysis.

(4) The report is not limited to, but must include, the following information:

(a) Identification of the baseline number of facilities, prior to July 1, 2009, with generating capacity of not less than one thousand watts, using fuel cells, wind, sun, biomass energy, tidal or wave energy, geothermal resources, anaerobic digestion, technology that converts otherwise lost energy from exhaust, or landfill gas as the principal source of power.

(b) The number of facilities developed each year by purchasers claiming the preference for machinery, equipment, labor, or other services, and the increase in the number of such facilities, as compared to the baseline established in (a) of this subsection.

(c) The total generating capacity in megawatts and total power production in kilowatt-hours of the facilities reported in (b) of this subsection.

(d) The estimated greenhouse gas emissions avoided as a result of power generation from renewable energy sources by the facilities reported in (b) of this subsection.

(e) The number of barrels of oil and tons of coal avoided as a result of power generation from renewable energy sources by the facilities reported in (b) of this subsection, as estimated from the average fuel mix of electricity generated statewide.

(f) The number of employees and wages and benefits reported by taxpayers claiming the exemption at the facilities reported in (a) of this subsection.

(g) Subject to data availability, analysis of how the wages and benefits reported in (e) of this subsection compare with statewide averages and averages in the county in which the facility is located.

(5) This section expires January 1, 2020.

[ 2013 2nd sp.s. c 13 § 1504.]

NOTES:

Intent—2013 2nd sp.s. c 13: See note following RCW 82.08.962.

Effective date—2013 2nd sp.s. c 13: See note following RCW 82.08.956.

2013 2nd sp.s. c 13 § 1504.