WASHINGTON STATUTES AND CODES

43.325.001 - Findings -- 2006 c 171.

Findings — 2006 c 171. (Expires June 30, 2016.)

The legislature finds that:

     (1) Washington's dependence on energy supplied from outside the state and volatile global energy markets makes its economy and citizens vulnerable to unpredictable and high energy prices;

     (2) Washington's dependence on petroleum-based fuels increases energy costs for citizens and businesses;

     (3) Diesel soot from diesel engines ranks as the highest toxic air pollutant in Washington, leading to hundreds of premature deaths and increasing rates of asthma and other lung diseases;

     (4) The use of biodiesel results in significantly less air pollution than traditional diesel fuels;

     (5) Improper disposal and treatment of organic waste from farms and livestock operations can have a significant negative impact on water quality;

     (6) Washington has abundant supplies of organic wastes from farms that can be used for energy production and abundant farmland where crops could be grown to supplement or supplant petroleum-based fuels;

     (7) The use of energy and fuel derived from these sources can help citizens and businesses conserve energy and reduce the use of petroleum-based fuels, would improve air and water quality in Washington, reduce environmental risks from farm wastes, create new markets for farm products, and provide new industries and jobs for Washington citizens;

     (8) The bioenergy industry is a new and developing industry that is, in part, limited by the availability of capital for the construction of facilities for converting farm and forest products into energy and fuels;

     (9) Instead of leaving our economy at the mercy of global events, and the policies of foreign nations, Washington state should adopt a policy of energy independence; and

     (10) The energy freedom program is meant to lead Washington state towards energy independence.

     Therefore, the legislature finds that it is in the public interest to encourage the rapid adoption and use of bioenergy, to develop a viable bioenergy industry within Washington state, to promote public research and development in bioenergy sources and markets, and to support a viable agriculture industry to grow bioenergy crops. To accomplish this, the energy freedom program is established to promote public research and development in bioenergy, and to stimulate the construction of facilities in Washington to generate energy from farm sources or convert organic matter into fuels.