As the proposed Cascadia Ridge battery energy storage facility near Snoqualmie Ridge continues through King County’s permitting process, the City of North Bend is taking steps to ensure it doesn’t face a similar situation on its own doorstep.
At an April 28 work study, North Bend city staff and council members discussed a proposed 12-month moratorium on commercial battery storage facilities, with a formal vote and public hearing scheduled for May 19.
Community & Economic Development Director James Henderson presented the proposal, describing it as a response to growing interest in large-scale battery energy storage systems in the region.
The Cascadia Ridge project, proposed by Jupiter Power on about 30 acres within roughly 45 acres of unincorporated King County land near Snoqualmie Ridge, is a 130-megawatt facility that would connect to the Mt. Si substation. North Bend consulted with Tanner Electric on the day of the work session; Tanner confirmed it is not currently pursuing battery storage near its new transmission station.
Staff noted that other King County cities have already acted. Black Diamond and Covington have implemented moratoriums, and Maple Valley passed a six-month moratorium last July. North Bend’s proposed ordinance would pause acceptance of applications for commercial battery storage facilities for 12 months while staff conducts a study of zoning regulations, public health and safety impacts, and potential environmental consequences.
Council members expressed general support but raised questions about scope and timeline. Council member Elwood noted that the Snoqualmie project could enter litigation, a process that could take two years, and said North Bend should watch how that unfolds.
City staff clarified that moratoriums cannot be stacked indefinitely; the city must demonstrate progress toward actual regulation. A 12-month moratorium requires a defined work plan, while a six-month moratorium does not. Staff indicated the study would likely require outside consultants and a separate budget, and council members asked whether grants from the state Department of Ecology might offset those costs.
One issue raised was that if the city delays developing regulations too long, applicants could seek review through the State Facilities Evaluation Council process, potentially overriding local zoning authority. Staff said completing the study and putting regulations in place is the city’s best protection against that outcome.
The council also briefly discussed whether a broader moratorium covering data centers and other large infrastructure uses might be warranted, citing a vacated Genie property and potential National Guard expansion as examples of larger development pressures facing the city. Staff recommended keeping the current moratorium focused on battery storage and addressing other uses separately.
The May 19 North Bend City Council meeting is open to the public. A public hearing on the moratorium ordinance is expected the same night.
