(1) The Washington technology center, through its northwest energy technology collaborative, shall provide a forum for public and private collaborative initiatives to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors in Washington state and the Pacific Northwest. The center shall seek to integrate the initiatives of the northwest energy technology collaborative into existing state programs and initiatives, including grant programs administered by the center, and energy efficiency business development projects and energy assistance programs of the department of community, trade, and economic development.

     (2) The center, through its northwest energy technology collaborative, shall develop and implement a strategic plan for public and private collaboration in renewable energy and energy efficiency business development. The center, together with the department, shall prepare an initial draft of a statewide strategic plan and circulate it widely among businesses and individuals in these sectors for review and comment. The center shall also organize a summit of public and private sector interests to further developments of the proposed strategic plan. The plan shall address, among other things, the role that public sector policies, programs, and expenditures may play in promoting these economic sectors, including subjects such as workforce development, education, tax incentives, economic development assistance, public sector energy purchases, public sector construction standards, transportation, and land use regulation and zoning. The strategic plan shall include recommendations for legislative and administrative policy changes and for legislative appropriations. The plan shall also recommend proposals for capital and operating investments in public higher education facilities, proposals for creating and strengthening public and private partnerships, and proposals for federal financial assistance and expenditures for research and development programs in Washington state. The finalized strategic plan shall be provided to the governor and to the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives by January 1, 2005.

     (3) The strategic plan required by subsection (2) of this section may be incorporated into the center's five-year strategic plan required by RCW 28B.20.289(3)(f).

[2004 c 151 § 2.]