Rep. Stephanie Barnard bill to clear the path for clean energy manufacturing and family wage jobs heads to governor’s desk
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Rep. Stephanie Barnard bill to clear the path for clean energy manufacturing and family wage jobs heads to governor’s desk
As Washington seeks to lead the nation in clean energy production, the complex regulatory realities of next-generation facilities often clash with existing state timelines, putting potential investments and family wage jobs at risk.
To ensure the state’s economic development tools remain effective for these major infrastructure projects, Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, introduced House Bill 1210 to update the targeted urban area tax preference. The legislation better accommodates the rigorous federal certification process for clean energy transformation businesses.
“Washington has built a reputation as a global leader in innovation and clean energy, but we cannot rely on reputation alone to secure the next wave of manufacturing jobs,” said Barnard. “When our state tax incentives don’t account for the reality of federal safety reviews, we unintentionally put up a ‘closed for business’ sign. My bill is about fixing that disconnect so we can land these historic investments.”
The existing targeted urban area tax preference allows cities to offer tax deferrals to encourage manufacturing on undeveloped land, provided construction is completed within specific statutory windows. However, clean energy transformation facilities face a unique challenge. They require certification by a federal regulatory commission, a stringent process that often extends beyond standard construction deadlines. HB 1210 addresses this by allowing cities to grant up to two additional 24-month extensions for project completion, specifically for facilities undergoing federal certification.
This flexibility ensures that developers acting in good faith are not penalized for federal regulatory timelines beyond their control. Crucially, the bill maintains strict accountability standards. To qualify for the extension, projects must verify compliance with labor standards, including paying prevailing wages and utilizing state-registered apprentices during construction.
“This is a simple, common-sense adjustment that signals to the industry that Washington is serious about its energy future,” Barnard added. “We are ensuring that our communities benefit from high-paying jobs and new infrastructure without sacrificing the rigorous safety and labor standards we expect.”
The bill was recently passed by the Senate and now heads to the governor’s desk for signature to become law.
