SB5821 — The witness urges rejection of the bill and argues nuclear is not renewable.
SB5821 — Virginia Lohr opposes the bill, criticizing outside funding requirements and alleged industry influence.
SB5821 — The witness criticizes the bill's public input process and timeline.
SB5821 — The witness urges a no vote and says the timeline is too short.
SB5821 — Columbia Riverkeeper opposes the bill, saying more nuclear reactors are not the answer.
SB5821 — The witness criticizes the bill's private funding provisions and Hanford siting language.
SB5821 — The chair closes the public hearing on the bill and the meeting.
John Braun — The bill is referred to as Senator Braun's bill.
John Braun — Senator Braun is acknowledged and appreciated for sponsoring the legislation.
John Braun — Referenced as the sponsor of Senate Bill 5821.
Lisa Ganuelas — A remote witness is called up to testify.
Lindsay Watchman — Lindsay Watchman is called to testify on behalf of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. He explains that while the CTUIR recognizes the need for energy development, any study or legislation must protect treaty-reserved rights, human health, and natural resources. He requests a state-funded, independent study that explicitly recognizes tribal rights, includes tribal consultation in all phases, and addresses historic and ongoing nuclear impacts such as contamination, waste transportation, and effects on tribal lands and resources. He also asks for a structured engagement process, technical support for tribes, and a clear deadline, concluding by reiterating these scope requests if the legislation moves forward.
Lisa Gunwellis — Lisa introduces herself as a member of the board of trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
Lindsay — The chair turns to the next remote witness, Lindsay.
Colin Gibson — Colin Gibson is introduced as a researcher and project lead on a study about state policies supporting the implementation of small modular reactors, then he introduces himself as a researcher at the Washington State Institute for Public Policy as part of the work session presentation.
Eva Wesley — Eva Wesley is invited to present the work session, then introduces herself as the Associate Director for Research at the Washington State Institute for Public Policy and begins an overview of her organization and the work session topic, including small modular reactors.
Tina Orwall — Identified as a new co-chair of the board.
Cyndy Jacobsen — Identified as a new co-chair of the board.
Marko Liias — Identified as the committee member serving on the board.
Lisa Wellman — Lisa Wellman asked about the water use of nuclear reactors and SMRs, raising concerns about how much water they use, how heat waves might affect operations, what impacts water discharge could have, and whether these effects could harm fish.
Paul Harris — Senator Harris was addressed in the question period.
Vandana Slatter — Senator Slatter is introduced as the next questioner and then asks about SMRs, focusing on safety, waste, and waste storage concerns. The discussion continues with a related prompt about comparing life-cycle impacts, keeping the exchange centered on the broader risks and implications of SMRs.
Shelly Short — Senator Short is mentioned in a light procedural aside, with the speaker saying they appreciate her speaking but that she does not need to continue.
John Rothlin — First witness called to testify on the bill.
Peter Godlowski — Second witness called to testify on the bill; affiliation not stated in this segment.
Peter Hasigawa — Online witness to be called on deck; likely a transcription error for Peter Hasegawa.
Jeff Behrwald — Jeff Behrwald was identified as an online witness to be called, but shortly afterward the chair noted that he was not online.
Peter Godluski — Witness identified himself as being with the Association of Washington Business and stated support for the bill.
Peter Godluski — Peter Godluski was called as an in-person testifier and then testified on behalf of the Association of Washington Business in opposition, expressing concerns about permitting speed and the complexity of the process.
Peter Hasegawa — Witness identified himself as director of strategic campaigns and renewable energy policy for IBEW Local 46.
SB6010 — Senate Bill 6010 was introduced as a measure concerning tribal consultation by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (FSEC). The discussion framed the bill as a practical effort to better balance development, clean energy, infrastructure, jobs, and difficult consultation issues. Speakers emphasized that while it would not solve every problem, it is important for improving consultation, reducing misunderstandings, and addressing open government concerns. The witness thanked the committee for hearing the bill and explained that it would allow tribes, including the Yakima Nation and others, to review and comment on consultation summaries before they are forwarded to the governor.
Council Jeremy Takala — Called to testify as part of the panel.
Council Charlene Tilliquots — Called to testify as part of the panel.
Council Brian Saluskin — Called to testify as part of the panel.
Council Terry Heimsa — Called to testify as part of the panel.
Jared Takala — Jared Takala introduced himself and provided his background as a council member for the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, then continued by describing his committee leadership roles within the tribe.
Brian Sluskin — Brian Sluskin is identified as the chair of the radioactive hazardous waste committee, and then he introduces himself and begins testimony, discussing treaty rights and the bill’s legal context in relation to Hanford cleanup.
Terry Hymsa — Identified as serving on the economic development committee and culture committee.
Soya Lille — Name appears in the transcript, but role is unclear due to transcription errors.
Unidentified tribal fisherman / fish biologist witness — Testified as a tribal member and fisherman, described prior work as a fish biologist at Hanford and a fish passage biologist at Cle Elum, and said he helped return salmon to the Yakima Basin.
Andrea Methaney — Called to testify remotely.
John Worthington — John Worthington is identified as the next witness to testify, and the chair then attempts to call on him to join the discussion.
Casey McLean — Casey McLean is introduced as next to testify, then called by the chair, and begins her testimony by identifying herself as the Washington policy manager at Renewable Northwest and speaking in support of SB 6010.
Andrea Matheny — Andrea Matheny introduced herself, identified herself as the Tribal Nations Director at Washington Conservation Action and an enrolled Yakima tribal member, and testified in strong support of SB 6010. She then concluded her remarks and agreed to provide written testimony.
SB6010 — During the SB 6010 hearing, multiple witnesses and organizations expressed support for the bill, including Casey McLean and FSEC, which signed in as other while supporting the bill’s intent. The hearing on SB 6010 then concluded.
Lisa McLean — Lisa McLean was called as an in-person witness and began her testimony. She identified herself as the legislative policy manager and tribal liaison for FSEC and stated that FSEC supports the bill’s intent.
SB6004 — Senate Bill 6004 is introduced as a measure allowing certain public entities to contract for renewable or non-emitting electric generation capability and aligning contracting definitions with CETA. Testimony then follows, with supporters arguing the bill helps Washington meet clean energy goals and updates outdated law, while opponents contend it primarily facilitates nuclear power capacity contracts, shifts financial and non-performance risk from developers to ratepayers and taxpayers, removes consumer protections, and could repeat past financing mistakes. The discussion includes questions from the chair about whether ratepayers can be protected or whether the bill should simply not advance, and ends with the chair closing testimony on the bill.
Daniel Heimbaugh — Daniel Heimbaugh is called to testify and then introduces himself as the government affairs program manager with Energy Northwest as he begins his testimony in support of Senate Bill 6004.
Kathleen Saul — Kathleen Saul is called to testify and then states that she is appearing on behalf of the Washington Chapter of the Sierra Club in opposition to Senate Bill 6004.
Kathleen Saul — Introduced as the first in-person testifier.