Clean Energy Implementation Plan

The Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) was signed into law in 2019 by Governor Jay Inslee. The law commits Washington to an electricity supply free of greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

As part of CETA, Peninsula Light Co. (PenLight/PLC) is required to submit to the Washington State Department of Commerce a Clean Energy Implementation Plan (CEIP) every four years. The development of this plan requires a public process. On this webpage, you will be able to learn more about CETA as well as participate in the CEIP process.

Clean Energy Transformation Act Information

PenLight is subject to the rules and requirements of the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA). This law sets deadlines for the transition from carbon emitting energy resources to clean energy resources. The law also requires Washington utilities to report on a variety of topics by submitting a Clean Energy Implementation Plan (CEIP) every four years. The CEIP requires that we utilize a public process in development of the plan, specifically to identify vulnerable populations and to develop indicators that will assist Peninsula Light identify what goals should be created to prioritize an equitable transition to 100% clean energy by 2045.

Under CETA, clean energy is electricity that does not produce carbon or other greenhouse gases as it is generated. Examples are hydropower, solar, wind, geothermal, hydrogen, and some biomass.

PenLight purchases the majority of its energy from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and the vast majority of that energy is carbon free, in fact in most years it is around 95% carbon free. Peninsula Light is in compliance with the 2025 ‘No Coal Standard’ and is already in compliance with 2030 ‘GHG Neutral Standard’.

In addition to CETA, PenLight is in compliance with the Energy Independence Act (EIA or I937). Washington state voters approved I937 in 2006, a renewable energy portfolio standard that requires electric utilities with more than 25,000 customers to offset a growing percentage of their retail energy load with Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). As of 2020, PLC has retired 15% of its retail load each year with RECs. Under this law, hydropower is not considered a renewable resource. This means although Peninsula Light typically provides around 95% carbon-free electricity through our BPA purchases, PenLight still has to retire RECs to offset 15% of our load each year.

2026-2029 Public Participation Opportunities

    • Community Survey (survey period has been closed)
    • Provide feedback on draft CEIP draft (feedback period on draft has been closed)
    • Provide comments in an open public hearing (open hearing has been held and is closed)
Public Process Timeline

Public Input Process

To comply with the requirements of CETA, Peninsula Light must utilize a public process to identify vulnerable populations based on adverse socioeconomic factors and sensitivity factors, and develop indicators, and their impacts, relevant to the specific actions as a result of achieving specific clean energy targets. Below is an outline of the steps we have developed for the required public process.