TAX ON RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION OR STORAGE

RCW 82.96

in effect

RCW 82.96.010 Tax on renewable energy generation or storage — Rates — Administration.

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 1960-S3.SL ) *** (1)(a) For taxpayers granted an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 , an excise tax is imposed on the privilege of using qualified renewable energy generating systems used as an electric power source in the state. The rate of the tax is as follows: (i) $80 per month per megawatt of nameplate capacity of alternating current power for a qualified renewable energy generating system that uses solar energy to generate electricity and that was granted an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 for 10 years; (ii) $75 per month per megawatt of nameplate capacity of alternating current power for a qualified renewable energy generating system that uses solar energy to generate electricity and that was granted an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 for 15 years; (iii) $150 per month per megawatt of nameplate capacity of alternating current power for a qualified renewable energy generating system that uses wind energy to generate electricity and that was granted an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 for 10 years; (iv) $130 per month per megawatt of nameplate capacity of alternating current power for a qualified renewable energy generating system that uses wind energy to generate electricity and that was granted an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 for 15 years. (b) For taxpayers granted an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 , a tax is imposed on the capacity of the renewable energy storage system of a qualified renewable energy generating system. (i) The rate of the tax is $19 per month per megawatt hour of renewable energy storage capacity for exemptions granted under RCW 84.36.680 for 10 years. (ii) The rate of the tax is $14 per month per megawatt hour of renewable energy storage capacity for exemptions granted under RCW 84.36.680 for 15 years. (2) To ensure the rate structures reflect changes in technology, capacity, markets incentives, and inflation, the department may recommend to the legislature changes to the production excise tax rates in subsection (1) of this section to ensure a balance between the value of the exemptions granted pursuant to RCW 84.36.680 and the production excise tax rate imposed pursuant to this section. The goal is to optimize revenues for local communities while maintaining a rate and tax incentive program that is attractive to project developers. (3) For taxpayers not assessed under chapter 84.12 RCW, the county assessor must provide a list of taxpayers granted an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 for the following year, along with any other information required, to the department by August 1st each year. (4) A taxpayer applying for an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 for the following year must register with the department prior to submitting an application under RCW 84.36.680 . If the application for an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 is granted for any calendar year, payment of the taxes imposed under this section are due. (5) The taxpayer claiming an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 and paying the production excise tax under this section must file an annual attestation in the manner and form prescribed by the department. (6) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. (a) "Qualified renewable energy generating system" means a set of devices whose primary purpose is to produce electricity by means of any combination of collecting, transferring, or converting renewable energy and that is receiving an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 . (b) "Renewable energy" means energy produced by a solar or wind facility with nameplate capacity sufficient to generate at least 10 megawatts of nameplate capacity of alternating current power. (c) "Renewable energy storage capacity" means the battery storage capacity per megawatt hour. (d) "Renewable energy storage system" means battery storage or battery energy storage system that can store renewable energy when production exceeds demand and release energy when energy demand increases. (1)(a) For taxpayers granted an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 , an excise tax is imposed on the privilege of using qualified renewable energy generating systems used as an electric power source in the state. The rate of the tax is as follows: (i) $80 per month per megawatt of nameplate capacity of alternating current power for a qualified renewable energy generating system that uses solar energy to generate electricity and that was granted an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 for 10 years; (ii) $75 per month per megawatt of nameplate capacity of alternating current power for a qualified renewable energy generating system that uses solar energy to generate electricity and that was granted an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 for 15 years; (iii) $150 per month per megawatt of nameplate capacity of alternating current power for a qualified renewable energy generating system that uses wind energy to generate electricity and that was granted an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 for 10 years; (iv) $130 per month per megawatt of nameplate capacity of alternating current power for a qualified renewable energy generating system that uses wind energy to generate electricity and that was granted an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 for 15 years. (b) For taxpayers granted an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 , a tax is imposed on the capacity of the renewable energy storage system of a qualified renewable energy generating system. (i) The rate of the tax is $19 per month per megawatt hour of renewable energy storage capacity for exemptions granted under RCW 84.36.680 for 10 years. (ii) The rate of the tax is $14 per month per megawatt hour of renewable energy storage capacity for exemptions granted under RCW 84.36.680 for 15 years. (2) To ensure the rate structures reflect changes in technology, capacity, markets incentives, and inflation, the department may recommend to the legislature changes to the production excise tax rates in subsection (1) of this section to ensure a balance between the value of the exemptions granted pursuant to RCW 84.36.680 and the production excise tax rate imposed pursuant to this section. The goal is to optimize revenues for local communities while maintaining a rate and tax incentive program that is attractive to project developers. (3) For taxpayers not assessed under chapter 84.12 RCW, the county assessor must provide a list of taxpayers granted an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 for the following year, along with any other information required, to the department by August 1st each year. (4) A taxpayer applying for an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 for the following year must register with the department prior to submitting an application under RCW 84.36.680 . If the application for an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 is granted for any calendar year, payment of the taxes imposed under this section are due. (5) The taxpayer claiming an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 and paying the production excise tax under this section must file an annual attestation in the manner and form prescribed by the department. (6) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. (a) "Qualified renewable energy generating system" means a set of devices whose primary purpose is to produce electricity by means of any combination of collecting, transferring, or converting renewable energy and that is receiving an exemption under RCW 84.36.680 . (b) "Renewable energy" means energy produced by a solar or wind facility with nameplate capacity sufficient to generate at least 10 megawatts of nameplate capacity of alternating current power. (c) "Renewable energy storage capacity" means the battery storage capacity per megawatt hour. (d) "Renewable energy storage system" means battery storage or battery energy storage system that can store renewable energy when production exceeds demand and release energy when energy demand increases.

RCW 82.96.020 Renewable energy local benefit account.

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 1960-S3.SL ) *** (1) The renewable energy local benefit account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from the production excise tax in RCW 82.96.010 must be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used for qualified local counties and qualified school districts. (2) The total amount appropriated to qualified counties and the qualified school districts within those counties must be in proportion to the amount of production excise tax paid by renewable energy systems located in those counties and must be distributed as follows: (a) Each qualified county must receive an appropriation equal to 42.5 percent of the production excise tax paid by a renewable energy system located in the county. (b) Qualified federally recognized Indian tribes must receive an appropriation totaling 15 percent of the production excise tax paid by a renewable energy system impacting the tribes' resources or rights. (c) Each qualified school district must receive an appropriation from the remaining 42.5 percent of the production excise tax paid by a renewable energy system located in the same county in proportion to the number of students being served by that district. (3) For the purposes of this section, the definitions in this subsection apply unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (a) "Qualified county" means a county that has a renewable energy system that receives a tax exemption under RCW 84.36.680 and pays the production excise tax under RCW 82.96.010 . (b) "Qualified federally recognized Indian tribe" means a federally recognized Indian tribe with rights or lands reserved or protected by federal treaty, statute, or executive order that are potentially impacted by a renewable energy system that receives a tax exemption under RCW 84.36.680 and pays the production excise tax under RCW 82.96.010 . (c) "Qualified school district" means a school district that is located in a county that has a renewable energy system that receives a tax exemption under RCW 84.36.680 and pays the production excise tax under RCW 82.96.010 . (1) The renewable energy local benefit account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from the production excise tax in RCW 82.96.010 must be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used for qualified local counties and qualified school districts. (2) The total amount appropriated to qualified counties and the qualified school districts within those counties must be in proportion to the amount of production excise tax paid by renewable energy systems located in those counties and must be distributed as follows: (a) Each qualified county must receive an appropriation equal to 42.5 percent of the production excise tax paid by a renewable energy system located in the county. (b) Qualified federally recognized Indian tribes must receive an appropriation totaling 15 percent of the production excise tax paid by a renewable energy system impacting the tribes' resources or rights. (c) Each qualified school district must receive an appropriation from the remaining 42.5 percent of the production excise tax paid by a renewable energy system located in the same county in proportion to the number of students being served by that district. (3) For the purposes of this section, the definitions in this subsection apply unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (a) "Qualified county" means a county that has a renewable energy system that receives a tax exemption under RCW 84.36.680 and pays the production excise tax under RCW 82.96.010 . (b) "Qualified federally recognized Indian tribe" means a federally recognized Indian tribe with rights or lands reserved or protected by federal treaty, statute, or executive order that are potentially impacted by a renewable energy system that receives a tax exemption under RCW 84.36.680 and pays the production excise tax under RCW 82.96.010 . (c) "Qualified school district" means a school district that is located in a county that has a renewable energy system that receives a tax exemption under RCW 84.36.680 and pays the production excise tax under RCW 82.96.010 .

RCW 82.96.030 Administration — Application of chapter 82.32 RCW.

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 1960-S3.SL ) *** All of the provisions contained in chapter 82.32 RCW not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter have full force and application with respect to taxes imposed under the provisions of this chapter. All of the provisions contained in chapter 82.32 RCW not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter have full force and application with respect to taxes imposed under the provisions of this chapter.

Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=82.96&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026