In a letter to King County’s Department of Local Services Permitting Division, Snoqualmie Mayor James Mayhew formally conveyed residents’ concerns about the proposed Cascadia Ridge Battery Energy Storage System project and requested a comprehensive environmental review, including consideration of a full environmental impact statement.
To: Director Richardson
King County Department of Local Services, Permitting Division
Subject: Proposed Battery Energy Storage System Near Snoqualmie – Community Concerns and Review Considerations
Dear Director Richardson,
Over the past several weeks, Snoqualmie residents have provided substantial testimony and written comments regarding the proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) facility in unincorporated King County near the City of Snoqualmie. This input has been consistent, detailed, and focused on specific concerns related to the proposed location.
Residents have raised concerns regarding the proximity of the proposed facility to residential areas and public facilities, including schools, parks, and other community spaces, as well as safety-related issues such as potential fire risk, the release of hazardous gases, toxic runoff associated with fire response, and the availability of adequate evacuation routes and emergency response capabilities in the Snoqualmie Valley. Additional concerns include potential impacts to wetlands and steep slopes, habitat and natural resources, noise associated with facility operations, traffic impacts, visual impacts, and the cumulative effects of this facility in the context of the surrounding area. These site-specific concerns require thorough evaluation as this proposal moves forward through King County’s permitting and environmental review process.
I understand that applicable County Code and the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) establish the framework for review of projects of this type, including evaluation of environmental impacts and mitigation measures. Given the anticipated scale and location of this proposal, a comprehensive review of potential impacts—from construction and grading through operation and eventual decommissioning—is critical to understanding how this project fits within that framework, including impacts to housing, public facilities, businesses, historic and cultural resources, transportation, utilities, land, forest, air, water, and energy. Residents have requested, and I share that request, that a full environmental impact statement be considered given the potential environmental impact of this proposal. Residents have also raised questions regarding the siting of a facility of this type near residential and community uses, including whether alternative locations within the Puget Sound Energy transmission and distribution system may better address these concerns.
The City will review project materials submitted by the applicant and will submit comments as part of King County’s process. Those comments will reflect the concerns raised by Snoqualmie residents and the specific characteristics of this location.
I am sharing this letter, so these concerns are clearly conveyed and receive full consideration as the review proceeds.
Sincerely,
James Mayhew
Mayor, City of Snoqualmie
[Information provided by the City of Snoqualmie]
