WA HB2285

Allows electric utilities to count electricity from natural gas power plants equipped with carbon capture technology (capturing at least 75% of CO2 emissions) toward Washington's clean energy standards for 2030 greenhouse gas neutrality and 2045 100% clean electricity requirements

Adds "carbon capture and utilization, mineralization, or sequestration technology" as a new defined term in the Clean Energy Transformation Act, covering technology that captures and stores, mineralizes, or reuses CO2 emissions from natural gas systems

Modifies administrative penalty calculations so gas-fired power plants operating with qualifying carbon capture technology are exempt from the $100/MWh penalties that apply to non-compliant fossil fuel generation

Enables investor-owned utilities to petition the Utilities and Transportation Commission for declaratory orders confirming whether proposed carbon capture projects meet clean energy compliance requirements

Reflects legislative findings that natural gas will play a critical role in grid reliability during periods of extreme cold with low hydroelectric and wind generation, and that the Department of Commerce identified clarifying carbon capture eligibility as a priority strategy in its 2024 energy strategy update