Published May 5 2015
Also, award for Coal Creek project, Phantom Lake transmission line, proclamations
Utility System Efficiencies Inc., the electrical power systems analysis firm hired by the City Council to provide an independent technical analysis of Puget Sound Energy's proposed Energize Eastside project, briefed councilmembers on the report's conclusions Monday.
The technical analysis confirms the need to upgrade the Eastside's power infrastructure based on future growth projections, reliability of the electrical grid and regional power grid flows. The council commissioned the analysis last year after listening to issues raised by concerned residents.
Energize Eastside is a proposed higher-capacity (230-kilovolt) electrical transmission line project that would run from Renton to Redmond, through Bellevue. The complete report and additional background documents are available online; or view archived video of the presentation.
Utility System Efficiencies' analysis is the second independent study requested by the council to confirm the need for a major upgrade to the Eastside's electrical transmission system. The Electric Reliability Study, commissioned in the aftermath of the 2006 windstorm, reached a similar conclusion in 2011.
Under state law and the city code, Bellevue is required to process the Puget Sound Energy project application for Energize Eastside. The next step is analyzing the proposal through an environmental impact statement (EIS), which will evaluate alternatives to address the Eastside's power infrastructure needs and potential significant environmental impacts associated with the proposed project.
The first phase of the EIS, a 45-day scoping period, began on April 30 and will run through June 15. It provides multiple opportunities for public feedback. The independent technical analysis will be submitted by the city as part of the public comment process. The first of five community meetings will be held at Bellevue City Hall on Tuesday, May 12.
Bellevue residents and businesses are encouraged to learn more about the EIS process, including a complete list of public meeting dates, at www.EnergizeEastsideEIS.com.
Coal Creek Parkway project nabs award
Utilities Director Nav Otal shared with the council that the Coal Creek Parkway Culvert/Bridge project has been honored as the 2015 Project of the Year by the Washington state chapter of the American Public Works Association.
Otal noted the project was the result of excellent teamwork between the Utilities, Parks and Transportation departments, exemplifying the organization's One City philosophy, which emphasizes collaboration, innovation and a focus on the future. Otal said the project was completed on schedule and under budget.
In addition to safely transporting 28,000 vehicles daily, the bridge and culvert replacement had other benefits to the community. For example, pedestrians can now easily cross under the road on a walkway and connect with the Coal Creek Trail, and salmon now have almost one mile of improved habitat that was previously restricted. A video shows project highlights.
More information is available with the council agenda material.
Phantom Lake transmission line gets OK
Also on Monday, the council approved issuing a conditional use permit allowing Puget Sound Energy to build a 115-kilovolt transmission line connecting the Lake Hills Substation to the Phantom Lake Substation in East Bellevue.
The transmission line, which is separate from the Energize Eastside project, is intended to improve electrical reliability in the area served by the two substations, creating a redundant line and bringing the neighborhood up to the same level of reliability as other Bellevue neighborhoods.
The 2.89-mile route includes approximately 39 new poles in city right of way along Southeast 16th Street, 148th Avenue and Northeast Eighth Street. The city has imposed a mitigation fee of $856,740 on PSE for impacts caused by the removal of 295 trees. All of the fee must be used to plant new trees and re-landscape the area impacted by the project.
More information is available in the agenda materials.
Proclamations
The council issued several proclamations on Monday:
- National Kids to Parks Day on May 16: Bellevue has more than 2,500 acres of park and open spaces, 85 miles of trails, 45 playgrounds, and 7 beach parks;
- National Safe Boating Week, May 16-22: The Bellevue Sail and Power Squadron and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 22 promote and improve recreational boating safety by teaching safety courses and conducting vessel safety checks;
- Bicycle Month: On hand to mark May as Bike Month were Transportation Department Director Dave Berg and some of the more than 50 city staff who are on bike teams as part of the annual bike commuting challenge. Citywide, more than 1,200 employees are signed up for the friendly competition; and
- Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: During May, the city is marking Heritage Month with an installation of artworks by Asian-American artists on the first floor of City Hall. Approximately 31 percent of Bellevue’s population is composed of Asians or Pacific Islanders.
Also, award for Coal Creek project, Phantom Lake transmission line, proclamations
Utility System Efficiencies Inc., the electrical power systems analysis firm hired by the City Council to provide an independent technical analysis of Puget Sound Energy's proposed Energize Eastside project, briefed councilmembers on the report's conclusions Monday.
The technical analysis confirms the need to upgrade the Eastside's power infrastructure based on future growth projections, reliability of the electrical grid and regional power grid flows. The council commissioned the analysis last year after listening to issues raised by concerned residents.
Energize Eastside is a proposed higher-capacity (230-kilovolt) electrical transmission line project that would run from Renton to Redmond, through Bellevue. The complete report and additional background documents are available online; or view archived video of the presentation.
Utility System Efficiencies' analysis is the second independent study requested by the council to confirm the need for a major upgrade to the Eastside's electrical transmission system. The Electric Reliability Study, commissioned in the aftermath of the 2006 windstorm, reached a similar conclusion in 2011.
Under state law and the city code, Bellevue is required to process the Puget Sound Energy project application for Energize Eastside. The next step is analyzing the proposal through an environmental impact statement (EIS), which will evaluate alternatives to address the Eastside's power infrastructure needs and potential significant environmental impacts associated with the proposed project.
The first phase of the EIS, a 45-day scoping period, began on April 30 and will run through June 15. It provides multiple opportunities for public feedback. The independent technical analysis will be submitted by the city as part of the public comment process. The first of five community meetings will be held at Bellevue City Hall on Tuesday, May 12.
Bellevue residents and businesses are encouraged to learn more about the EIS process, including a complete list of public meeting dates, at www.EnergizeEastsideEIS.com.
Coal Creek Parkway project nabs award
Utilities Director Nav Otal shared with the council that the Coal Creek Parkway Culvert/Bridge project has been honored as the 2015 Project of the Year by the Washington state chapter of the American Public Works Association.
Otal noted the project was the result of excellent teamwork between the Utilities, Parks and Transportation departments, exemplifying the organization's One City philosophy, which emphasizes collaboration, innovation and a focus on the future. Otal said the project was completed on schedule and under budget.
In addition to safely transporting 28,000 vehicles daily, the bridge and culvert replacement had other benefits to the community. For example, pedestrians can now easily cross under the road on a walkway and connect with the Coal Creek Trail, and salmon now have almost one mile of improved habitat that was previously restricted. A video shows project highlights.
More information is available with the council agenda material.
Phantom Lake transmission line gets OK
Also on Monday, the council approved issuing a conditional use permit allowing Puget Sound Energy to build a 115-kilovolt transmission line connecting the Lake Hills Substation to the Phantom Lake Substation in East Bellevue.
The transmission line, which is separate from the Energize Eastside project, is intended to improve electrical reliability in the area served by the two substations, creating a redundant line and bringing the neighborhood up to the same level of reliability as other Bellevue neighborhoods.
The 2.89-mile route includes approximately 39 new poles in city right of way along Southeast 16th Street, 148th Avenue and Northeast Eighth Street. The city has imposed a mitigation fee of $856,740 on PSE for impacts caused by the removal of 295 trees. All of the fee must be used to plant new trees and re-landscape the area impacted by the project.
More information is available in the agenda materials.
Proclamations
The council issued several proclamations on Monday:
- National Kids to Parks Day on May 16: Bellevue has more than 2,500 acres of park and open spaces, 85 miles of trails, 45 playgrounds, and 7 beach parks;
- National Safe Boating Week, May 16-22: The Bellevue Sail and Power Squadron and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 22 promote and improve recreational boating safety by teaching safety courses and conducting vessel safety checks;
- Bicycle Month: On hand to mark May as Bike Month were Transportation Department Director Dave Berg and some of the more than 50 city staff who are on bike teams as part of the annual bike commuting challenge. Citywide, more than 1,200 employees are signed up for the friendly competition; and
- Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: During May, the city is marking Heritage Month with an installation of artworks by Asian-American artists on the first floor of City Hall. Approximately 31 percent of Bellevue’s population is composed of Asians or Pacific Islanders.