The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

     (1) "Alternative fuel" means all products or energy sources used to propel motor vehicles, other than conventional gasoline, diesel, or reformulated gasoline. "Alternative fuel" includes, but is not limited to, cellulose, liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas, biofuels, biodiesel fuel, E85 motor fuel, fuels containing seventy percent or more by volume of alcohol fuel, fuels that are derived from biomass, hydrogen fuel, anhydrous ammonia fuel, nonhazardous motor fuel, or electricity, excluding onboard electric generation.

     (2) "Applicant" means the state and any political subdivision of the state, including port districts, counties, cities, towns, special purpose districts, and other municipal corporations or quasi-municipal corporations. "Applicant" may also include federally recognized tribes, state institutions of higher education with appropriate research capabilities, any organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code, and private entities that are eligible to receive federal funds.

     (3) "Assistance" includes loans, leases, product purchases, or other forms of financial or technical assistance.

     (4) "Biofuel" includes, but is not limited to, biodiesel, ethanol, and ethanol blend fuels and renewable liquid natural gas or liquid compressed natural gas made from biogas.

     (5) "Biogas" includes waste gases derived from landfills and wastewater treatment plants and dairy and farm wastes.

     (6) "Cellulose" means lignocellulosic, hemicellulosic, or other cellulosic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis, including dedicated energy crops and trees, wood and wood residues, plants, grasses, agricultural residues, fibers, animal wastes and other waste materials, and municipal solid waste.

     (7) "Coordinator" means the person appointed by the director of the department of commerce.

     (8) "Department" means the department of commerce.

     (9) "Director" means the director of the department of commerce.

     (10) "Energy efficiency improvement" means an installation or modification that is designed to reduce energy consumption. The term includes, but is not limited to: Insulation; storm windows and doors; automatic energy control systems; energy efficiency audits; heating, ventilating, or air conditioning and distribution system modifications or replacements in buildings or central plants; caulking and weather stripping; energy recovery systems; geothermal heat pumps; and day lighting systems.

     (11) "Green highway zone" means an area in the state designated by the department that is within reasonable proximity of state route number 5, state route number 90, and state route number 82.

     (12) "Innovative energy technology" means, but is not limited to, the following: Smart grid or smart metering; biogas from landfills, wastewater treatment plants, anaerobic digesters, or other processes; wave or tidal power; fuel cells; high efficiency cogeneration; and energy storage systems.

     (13) "Peer review committee" means a board, appointed by the director, that includes bioenergy specialists, energy conservation specialists, scientists, and individuals with specific recognized expertise.

     (14) "Project" includes: (a) The construction of facilities, including the purchase of equipment, to convert farm products or wastes into electricity or gaseous or liquid fuels or other coproducts associated with such conversion; (b) clean energy projects identified by the clean energy leadership council, created in section 2, chapter 318, Laws of 2009; and (c) energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy improvements, or innovative energy technologies. These specifically include fixed or mobile facilities to generate electricity or methane from the anaerobic digestion of organic matter, and fixed or mobile facilities for extracting oils from canola, rape, mustard, and other oilseeds. "Project" may also include the construction of facilities associated with such conversion for the distribution and storage of such feedstocks and fuels. The definition of project does not apply to projects as described in RCW 43.325.020(5).

     (15) "Renewable energy improvements" means a fixture, product, system, device, or interacting group of devices that produces energy from renewable resources. The term includes, but is not limited to: Photovoltaic systems; solar thermal systems; small wind systems; biomass systems; and geothermal systems.

     (16) "Refueling project" means the construction of new alternative fuel refueling facilities, as well as upgrades and expansion of existing refueling facilities, that will enable these facilities to offer alternative fuels to the public.

     (17) "Research and development project" means research and development, by an institution of higher education as defined in subsection (2) of this section, relating to:

     (a) Bioenergy sources including but not limited to biomass and associated gases; or

     (b) The development of markets for bioenergy coproducts.

[2009 c 565 § 41; 2009 c 451 § 2; 2007 c 348 § 301; 2006 c 171 § 2. Formerly RCW 15.110.010.]

NOTES:

     Reviser's note: (1) The definitions in this section have been alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k).

     (2) This section was amended by 2009 c 451 § 2 and by 2009 c 565 § 41, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

     Expiration dates -- 2009 c 565 §§ 16 and 41: See note following RCW 43.330.300.

     Expiration dates -- 2009 c 451 §§ 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7: "(1) Sections 2, 3, 5, and 6 of this act expire June 30, 2016.

     (2) Section 7 of this act expires July 1, 2009." [2009 c 451 § 10.]

     Effective date -- 2009 c 451: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [May 11, 2009]." [2009 c 451 § 11.]

     Intent -- 2009 c 451: "The legislature intends to modify the energy freedom program and account in order to receive federal funds and other sources of funding. Also, the legislature intends to expand the mission of the energy freedom program to accelerate energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy improvements, and deployment of innovative energy technologies. Additionally, the legislature intends to support, through the energy freedom program, research, demonstration, and commercialization of energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy improvements, and innovation energy technologies." [2009 c 451 § 1.]