Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB6355: Electric transmission system
Status: Signed into law, March 30, 2026
Concerning the electric transmission system.
What the bill says
An act Relating to creating partnerships to improve the reliability and capacity of the electric transmission system, including through a Washington electric transmission authority; reenacting and amending RCW 43.84.092, 43.84.092, 43.84.092, 43.84.092, 43.84.092, and 43.84.092; adding a new section to chapter 43.21F RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.31 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; providing effective dates; providing a contingent effective date; providing expiration dates; and providing contingent expiration dates. NEW SECTION.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to creating partnerships to improve the reliability and capacity of the electric transmission system, including through a Washington electric transmission authority; reenacting and amending RCW 43.84.092, 43.84.092, 43.84.092, 43.84.092, 43.84.092, and 43.84.092; adding a new section to chapter 43.21F RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.31 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; providing effective dates; providing a contingent effective date; providing expiration dates; and providing contingent expiration dates. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that Washington has committed to decarbonizing its electricity system so that it is carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon free by 2045. Achieving those goals includes retiring coal and gas resources, adding new generation from renewable and nonemitting resources, and leveraging energy storage technologies. At the same time, demand for electricity is increasing significantly due to the electrification of vehicles, home heating and cooling, and manufacturing, and the expansion of the information services sector in Washington. There are significant federal, state, and private investments in clean energy development, including wind, solar, and battery storage, that support decarbonization goals and supply new electrical load. However, Washington's existing transmission system lacks the capacity to accommodate the growing demand for clean electricity. (2) The legislature also finds that extreme weather events and changes to seasonal highs and lows puts new …