# RCW 80.50.040: RCW 80.50.040: Energy facility site evaluation council—Powers enumerated > Washington · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T80_C50_S040 ## Section - **Citation:** RCW 80.50.040 - **Heading:** RCW 80.50.040: Energy facility site evaluation council—Powers enumerated - **Jurisdiction:** Washington - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Washington Code / Title 80 / Chapter 50 / Section 040 ## Text The council shall have the following powers: (1) To adopt, promulgate, amend, or rescind suitable rules and regulations, pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW, to carry out the provisions of this chapter, and the policies and practices of the council in connection therewith; (2) To develop and apply environmental and ecological guidelines in relation to the type, design, location, construction, initial operational conditions of certification, and ongoing regulatory oversight under the regulatory authority established in this chapter of energy facilities subject to this chapter; (3) To establish rules of practice for the conduct of public hearings pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, as found in chapter 34.05 RCW; (4) To prescribe the form, content, and necessary supporting documentation for site certification; (5) To receive applications for energy facility locations and to investigate the sufficiency thereof; (6) To enter into contracts to carry out the provisions of this chapter; (7) To conduct hearings on the proposed location and operational conditions of the energy facilities under the regulatory authority established in this chapter; (8) To prepare written reports to the governor which shall include: (a) A statement indicating whether the application is in compliance with the council's guidelines, (b) criteria specific to the site and transmission line routing, (c) a council recommendation as to the disposition of the application, and (d) a draft certification agreement when the council recommends approval of the application; (9) To prescribe the means for monitoring of the effects arising from the construction and the operation of energy facilities to assure continued compliance with terms of certification and/or permits issued by the council pursuant to chapter 90.48 RCW or subsection (12) of this section: PROVIDED, That any on-site inspection required by the council shall be performed by other state agencies pursuant to interagency agreement: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the council may retain authority for determining compliance relative to monitoring; (10) To integrate its site evaluation activity with activities of federal agencies having jurisdiction in such matters to avoid unnecessary duplication; (11) To present state concerns and interests to other states, regional organizations, and the federal government on the location, construction, and operation of any energy facility which may affect the environment, health, or safety of the citizens of the state of Washington; (12) To issue permits in compliance with applicable provisions of the federally approved state implementation plan adopted in accordance with the Federal Clean Air Act, as now existing or hereafter amended, for the new construction, reconstruction, or enlargement or operation of energy facilities: PROVIDED, That such permits shall become effective only if the governor approves an application for certification and executes a certification agreement pursuant to this chapter: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That all such permits be conditioned upon compliance with all provisions of the federally approved state implementation plan which apply to energy facilities covered within the provisions of this chapter; and (13) To serve as an interagency coordinating body for energy-related issues. ## Nearby sections - [RCW 80.50.010 RCW 80.50.010: Legislative finding—Policy—Intent.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T80_C50_S010.md) - [RCW 80.50.020 RCW 80.50.020: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T80_C50_S020.md) - [RCW 80.50.030 RCW 80.50.030: Energy facility site evaluation council—Created—Membership—Quorum.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T80_C50_S030.md) - [RCW 80.50.040 RCW 80.50.040: Energy facility site evaluation council—Powers enumerated.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T80_C50_S040.md) - [RCW 80.50.045 RCW 80.50.045: Recommendations to secretary, federal energy regulatory commission—Siting electrical transmission corridors—Council designated as state authority for siting transmission facilities—Review under national environmental policy act.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T80_C50_S045.md) - [RCW 80.50.060 RCW 80.50.060: Energy facilities to which chapter applies—Applications for certification—Forms—Council's duties—Potential effects to tribal cultural resources.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T80_C50_S060.md) - [RCW 80.50.065 RCW 80.50.065: Use of fully coordinated permitting process.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T80_C50_S065.md) - [RCW 80.50.071 RCW 80.50.071: Council to receive applications—Payment of costs incurred by the council—Notification requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T80_C50_S071.md) - [RCW 80.50.075 RCW 80.50.075: Expedited processing of applications.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T80_C50_S075.md) - [RCW 80.50.080 RCW 80.50.080: Counsel for the environment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T80_C50_S080.md) - [RCW 80.50.085 RCW 80.50.085: Council staff to assist applicants, make recommendations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T80_C50_S085.md) - [RCW 80.50.090 RCW 80.50.090: Public hearings—Opportunity for public comment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T80_C50_S090.md) - [RCW 80.50.100 RCW 80.50.100: Recommendations to governor—Expedited processing—Approval or rejection of certification—Reconsideration.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T80_C50_S100.md) - [RCW 80.50.105 RCW 80.50.105: Transmission facilities for petroleum products—Recommendations to governor.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T80_C50_S105.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T80_C50_S040. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.