Published February 26 2016
The Phase 1 draft environmental review of Energize Eastside, PSE's proposal to build a new electric substation and approximately 18 miles of high-capacity electric transmission lines from Renton to Redmond, is now available for public comment. It includes four alternatives.
Residents will have an opportunity to learn more and comment at an open house and public hearing at City Hall on Tuesday, 6-9 p.m. The meeting will begin with a 30-minute open house, followed by a short presentation and an oral comment period.
Energize Eastside is intended to address a deficiency in electrical transmission capacity that could begin in 2017. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is led by the City of Bellevue in cooperation with Kirkland, Newcastle, Redmond and Renton.
Additional open house opportunities will be provided at the following other public meetings:
- Newcastle Elementary School, 8440 136th Ave. SE, Newcastle, Feb. 27, 2-4 p.m.; and
- Redmond City Hall, 15670 NE 85th St., Redmond, Feb. 29, 6-8 p.m.
Please note the same information and opportunities will be provided at all meetings, so you only have to attend one for your comment to be received. Comments may be submitted orally at the public hearings or in writing. The deadline for submitting comments is March 14. Residents also have the following options to comment:
- Online at: www.EnergizeEastsideEIS.org;
- By email to Info@EnergizeEastsideEIS.org; or
- By mail to: City of Bellevue, Development Services, Attn: Heidi M. Bedwell, 450 110th Ave. NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
The Energize Eastside EIS is not a permit. It is one of many sets of information permitting agencies will consider as they decide whether to approve the project and issue necessary permits. The EIS process is a separate requirement that must be completed before any permits may be issued.
The EIS is a two-phased process providing environmental review of PSE's proposal and alternatives. Phase 1 focuses on the programmatic aspects of the project, including whether or not the type of project PSE has proposed is the best way to improve electrical grid reliability for Eastside communities and what other types of solutions should be explored.
Scoping for Phase I is now complete, and the Draft EIS was released for public comment on Jan. 28. A complete project description and the Phase I draft, including the studied alternatives, are available at www.EnergizeEastsideEIS.org.
For the second phase of environmental analysis, PSE will select its project alternatives to be evaluated in the Phase 1 DEIS and examine details for that option, including possible alternative locations for project components. There will be multiple opportunities for public comment during Phase 2. Scoping for Phase 2 is anticipated to begin this spring.