Utilities may adopt a slower transition path if necessary to avoid rate shock. The law also provides for short-term waivers of the clean energy standards if needed to protect reliability.

CETA requires that equity considerations become an explicit part of utility planning. Utilities must assess the potential impacts of their decisions on two communities: vulnerable populations and highly impacted communities. Vulnerable populations are communities that experience a disproportionate cumulative risk from environmental burdens due to socioeconomic and biological factors that are identified by utilities in conjunction with public input. Highly impacted communities are geographic communities, impacted by fossil fuels and climate change and identified by the Washington State Department of Health’s Environmental Health Disparities Map.

 Utilities must provide a public process for receiving feedback on their plans and a description of how public comments were reflected in their governing board or commission-approved plans. Utilities must also improve energy assistance programs for low-income households by designing programs that lower energy burden.  

CETA supports Washington workers and businesses by providing tax incentives for clean energy projects that employ women, minority, or veteran-owned businesses, businesses that have a long history of complying with federal and state wage and hour laws and regulations, and employers who hire local workers or offer apprenticeship programs. The incentives are available through 2029 to encourage early investments in the electric grid.

Commerce is working closely with the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC), which regulates the rates and service of investor-owned utilities, to implement CETA. Other state agencies with roles in CETA implementation and compliance include the State Auditor, the Attorney, and the departments of Ecology and Health. Interested stakeholders include business customers, low-income and vulnerable communities, consumers, environmental advocates and renewable energy developers.