The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) was established to provide a single siting process for major energy facilities located in the state. The EFSEC coordinates evaluation and licensing steps for siting certain energy facilities, as well as specifies the conditions of construction and operation. During the siting process, the EFSEC evaluates proposed locations for energy facilities by reviewing environmental impacts, land-use compliance, and public input through hearings and studies.
The EFSEC site certification process includes processing and review of applications, public hearings, environmental review, and the EFSEC’s final recommendation to the Governor. Upon receiving an application, the EFSEC must notify local legislative authorities, the Department of Archaeology and Historical Preservation (DAHP), and any federally recognized tribal governments that may be affected by the proposed facility. The public hearings include an initial hearing held within 60 days of an application submission to inform the public and gather testimony, a land use consistency hearing to assess alignment with local plans, and additional hearings. After review, the EFSEC shall report to the Governor its recommendations as to the approval or rejection of an application for certification within twelve months of receipt by the council of an application deemed complete by the director, or such later time as is mutually agreed by the council and the applicant. The site certification agreement, once approved by the Governor, includes the conditions the applicant must meet during construction and while operating the facility. This site certification is issued instead of any other individual state or local agency permits.
The EFSEC certification is required for nuclear and large thermal power plants, facilities with the capacity to handle over 100 million cubic feet of natural gas or 50,000 barrels of petroleum daily via marine transport, underground natural gas reservoirs capable of delivering over 100 million cubic feet daily, petroleum or biofuel processing facilities capable of processing more than 25,000 barrels per day, and certain transmission pipelines for petroleum or natural gas that are at least 15 miles long.
Facilities that can opt-in to receive the EFSEC certification include smaller biofuel producers, alternative energy facilities like wind and solar, high-voltage transmission lines crossing a jurisdiction that has promulgated land use plans or zoning ordinances, clean energy product manufacturing facilities, and storage facilities.
Washington has an agreement with the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to authorize the Department of Health (DOH) to license and regulate radioactive material. All fusion energy machines, which are the energy generating devices in a fusion energy facility, are required to be licensed and registered directly with DOH during the research and development phase.
In 2024, the EFSEC was tasked to collaborate with the DOH to form a work group examining fusion energy. The fusion work group recommended distinguishing between fusion and fission by amending state law and to give fusion energy facilities the choice of one of three pathways for siting and permitting: (1) a local government-led process; (2) the Department of Ecology’s (Ecology) coordinated clean energy permit process; or (3) opting into the current EFSEC process.
Fusion facilities are allowed to opt into the EFSEC certification process, but must also secure required licenses and registrations, or equivalent authorizations, for radiation control purposes from designated state or federal agencies. Additionally, the definition of nuclear power facilities is narrowed to include only fission plants.