Published May 1 2015
The 45-day scoping comment period for an environmental review of Puget Sound Energy's "Energize Eastside" project began Thursday. Residents can also comment and learn more about the project at a series of meetings in Eastside cities in May.
PSE is proposing to build a new electric substation and approximately 18 miles of high-capacity, (230-kilovolt) electric transmission lines through Bellevue, from Renton to Redmond. The project is intended to address an electrical transmission capacity deficiency and improve electrical grid reliability for Eastside communities.
The project requires analysis of potential environmental impacts through development of an environmental impact statement (EIS). The City of Bellevue is managing the EIS in cooperation with the cities of Kirkland, Newcastle, Redmond and Renton.
For the first phase of the EIS, the scope of the review will be established, determining the significant environmental issues and identifying alternatives to be analyzed. Scoping comments should focus on whether the Energize Eastside project is the best way to improve electrical grid reliability for Eastside communities and what other types of solutions should be explored.
The second phase of the EIS will focus on project design and construction.
The period for scoping comments closes at 5 p.m. on June 15. Comments can be taken online at www.EnergizeEastsideEIS.org.
Comments will also be taken at five public scoping meetings, where additional information about the Energize Eastside EIS will be provided.
- Tuesday May 12, 6-9 p.m., Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave. NE;
- Thursday May 14, 6-8 p.m., Renton City Hall, 1055 S. Grady Way;
- Tuesday May 26, 6-8 p.m., Kirkland City Hall, 123 Fifth Ave.;
- Thursday May 28, 6-8 p.m., Newcastle Elementary School, 8400 136th Ave. SE; and
- Saturday May 30, 2-4 p.m., North Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave. NE.