(1) No electrical company may enter into a long-term financial commitment unless the baseload electric generation supplied under such a long-term financial commitment complies with the greenhouse gases emissions performance standard established under RCW 80.80.040.

     (2) In order to enforce the requirements of this chapter, the commission shall review in a general rate case or as provided in subsection (5) of this section any long-term financial commitment entered into by an electrical company after June 30, 2008, to determine whether the baseload electric generation to be supplied under that long-term financial commitment complies with the greenhouse gases emissions performance standard established under RCW 80.80.040.

     (3) In determining whether a long-term financial commitment is for baseload electric generation, the commission shall consider the design of the power plant and its intended use, based upon the electricity purchase contract, if any, permits necessary for the operation of the power plant, and any other matter the commission determines is relevant under the circumstances.

     (4) Upon application by an electric utility, the commission may provide a case-by-case exemption from the greenhouse gases emissions performance standard to address: (a) Unanticipated electric system reliability needs; or (b) catastrophic events or threat of significant financial harm that may arise from unforeseen circumstances.

     (5) Upon application by an electrical company, the commission shall determine whether the company's proposed decision to acquire electric generation or enter into a power purchase agreement for electricity complies with the greenhouse gases emissions performance standard established under RCW 80.80.040, whether the company has a need for the resource, and whether the specific resource selected is appropriate. The commission shall take into consideration factors such as the company's forecasted loads, need for energy, power plant technology, expected costs, and other associated investment decisions. The commission shall not decide in a proceeding under this subsection (5) issues involving the actual costs to construct and operate the selected resource, cost recovery, or other issues reserved by the commission for decision in a general rate case or other proceeding for recovery of the resource or contract costs. A proceeding under this subsection (5) shall be conducted pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW (part IV). The commission shall adopt rules to provide that the schedule for a proceeding under this subsection takes into account both (a) the needs of the parties to the proposed resource acquisition or power purchase agreement for timely decisions that allow transactions to be completed; and (b) the procedural rights to be provided to parties in chapter 34.05 RCW (part IV), including intervention, discovery, briefing, and hearing.

     (6) An electrical company may account for and defer for later consideration by the commission costs incurred in connection with the long-term financial commitment, including operating and maintenance costs, depreciation, taxes, and cost of invested capital. The deferral begins with the date on which the power plant begins commercial operation or the effective date of the power purchase agreement and continues for a period not to exceed twenty-four months; provided that if during such period the company files a general rate case or other proceeding for the recovery of such costs, deferral ends on the effective date of the final decision by the commission in such proceeding. Creation of such a deferral account does not by itself determine the actual costs of the long-term financial commitment, whether recovery of any or all of these costs is appropriate, or other issues to be decided by the commission in a general rate case or other proceeding for recovery of these costs.

     (7) The commission shall consult with the department to apply the procedures adopted by the department to verify the emissions of greenhouse gases from baseload electric generation under RCW 80.80.040. The department shall report to the commission whether baseload electric generation will comply with the greenhouse gases emissions performance standard for the duration of the period the baseload electric generation is supplied to the electrical company.

     (8) The commission shall adopt rules for the enforcement of this section with respect to electrical companies and adopt procedural rules for approving costs incurred by an electrical company under subsection (4) of this section.

     (9) The commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section by December 31, 2008.

[2007 c 307 § 8.]