RCW 43.21F.800: Identification of high priority transmission corridors—Support for Washington electric transmission authority.

(1) The department must identify high priority transmission corridors from those identified in the western transmission expansion coalition's west-wide transmission needs study 10-year horizon report published in February 2026. The department must also consider the 20-year horizon report planned to be published in 2026 when identifying high priority transmission corridors. This identification must be conducted in an open, transparent process by October 30, 2027. The department may not finalize the identification of high priority transmission corridors until the department has reviewed the western transmission expansion coalition's 20-year horizon report.

(2) The department must consider the costs and benefits to Washington ratepayers when identifying high priority transmission corridors under subsection (1) of this section.

(3) The department may contract with independent expert analysts to identify high priority transmission corridors under subsection (1) of this section.

(4) The department must provide all administrative and staff support for and maintain oversight of the Washington electric transmission authority created under RCW 43.52B.030 until the board of directors hires an executive director as established under RCW 43.52B.020.