The certification by the governor of designated energy facilities under chapter 80.50 RCW will have the effect of permitting the construction and operation of the facilities thus certified at whatever location is specified therein even where the otherwise applicable provisions of a county, city or regional zoning code are to the contrary in view of the preemptive language of RCW 80.50.100, as amended by § 37, chapter 108, Laws of 1975-76, 2nd Ex. Sess.
Because of the definitions of certain key terms in RCW 80.50.020(17) it is not possible to determine in advance of the commencement of operation whether a certain proposed project of the Mobil Oil Company in Whatcom county will be such as to be subject to a requirement of site certification under the provisions of chapter 80.50 RCW (the state siting law).
Neither RCW 80.50.120 nor any other section of chapter 80.50 RCW precludes the State Department of Labor and Industries from conducting inspections, pursuant to chapters 19.28, 70.79 and 70.87 RCW, of an energy facility covered by a certification agreement duly executed in accordance with that chapter.
The energy facility site evaluation council is not authorized by chapter 80.50 RCW, or any other law, to institute any form of legal proceeding to compel a given corporation to file an application for site certification or to refrain it from seeking a substantial development permit.