During last week’s bill signings, Gov. Jay Inslee vetoed House Bill 1623, an AWB-supported bill aimed at ensuring a predictable, reliable supply of electricity and preventing rolling blackouts. Power reliability is a growing issue for the business community as demand on the electrical grid increases from the combined pressure of increased population and economic growth added to the increasing popularity of electric vehicles. 

The passage of the governor’s two signature pieces of legislation, Clean Energy Transformation Act and Climate Commitment Act, further add costs and complications for utilities in procuring and delivering energy to Washington businesses.

Bills like HB 1623 help ensure that Washington does not go down the path of California and the rolling blackouts they experienced last summer, especially as the world faces energy insecurity issues due to the war in Ukraine.

The Governor’s veto message claimed that the bill was redundant. In contrast, the unanimous vote of every legislator on this bill speaks to the important protections this bill would deliver to the state.

HB 1625, sponsored by Rep. Gina Mosbrucker, R-Goldendale, and co-sponsored by House Energy Committee Chair Joe Fitzgibbon, D-West Seattle, passed unanimously out of both chambers of the Legislature.

AWB supported this bipartisan bill, which would study the extent to which Washington residents are at risk of rolling blackouts and power supply inadequacy events, and would help to ensure a reliable power supply for employers and families in Washington.

Contact Peter Godlewski, AWB government affairs director for environmental and energy issues, to learn more.