SB6016 – Creating a green energy community fund to support schools and nonprofits in communities where public utilities’ renewable energy projects are located.
Prime Sponsor – Senator Shewmake (D; 42nd District; Bellingham)
Current status – Had a hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology on January 16th. Replaced by a substitute and passed out of committee January 25th. Referred to Ways & Means.
Next step would be – Scheduling a hearing.
Legislative tracking page for the bill.

In the Senate –
There’s a staff summary of the changes made by the substitute at the beginning of it; it’s in the folder of materials for the Executive session.

Summary –
The bill would allow public utilities to get annual tax credits on the business and occupation taxes and the public utility taxes for their renewable energy projects; each credit would be equal to 75% of a contribution they made to the school district where a project was located or a non-profit operating there. A utility’s credits would be capped at $250,000 a year, and the program’s credits would be limited to $5 million a year.

Utilities would apply for credits in the first half of the year, specifying recipients to which they intended to contribute. If an application were approved, and they actually made the contribution by October, they’d receive the credit.