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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnergize Eastside LUA18-000055 (26)From:Jill Ding To:"Laurie Baker" Subject:Energize Eastside, LUA18-000055 Date:Tuesday, November 26, 2019 11:54:53 AM Dear Laurie, Thank you for your comments on Puget Sound Energy’s Energize Eastside Conditional Use Permit Application, your comments have been included in the official file for consideration by the decision maker. In addition, you have been added as a party of record for this project, as a party of record, you will receive copies of correspondence from the City on this project. Your original email to me included concerns related to project need, safety concerns with respect to pole proximity to the Olympic pipeline, tree removal, and other less costly options for energy reliability. My responses to your comments are provided below: 1.       Project Need: The proposed transmission line upgrade is permitted within the City of Renton subject to the approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) by the Hearing Examiner. The City’s regulations do not require that the applicant demonstrate that the project in needed in order for a Conditional Use Permit to be granted. However, PSE has conducted studies regarding the need of the project and has made those studies available for City staff and the public to review. Links to submitted studies have been provided at the end of this email. 2.       Pipeline Safety: Safety concerns regarding transmission line pole proximity to the Olympic Pipeline is a concern that is shared by the City and was studied extensively during the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. Appendix J of the Final EIS addresses many of these comments (see page J1-28 and J1- 51). In addition, sections 4.9, 5.9, 6.12, 7.9, 8.9, and Appendix I of the FEIS address pipeline safety. The EIS established potential mitigation measures that would be adopted as project conditions focused on project safety in proximity to the Olympic Pipeline. 3.       Tree Removal: The City will review the proposal for compliance with the adopted Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations. As the proposed transmission line upgrade is proposed within PSE’s existing transmission line corridor, fewer trees will be required to be removed than if PSE were proposing a new corridor. Although vegetation will be removed within the corridor as part of the project, PSE is proposing to replace removed trees with transmission line compatible species. Outside of the corridor, opportunities exist to replace removed trees with taller growing species. 4.       Lower Cost Alternatives: The City’s CUP process does not require that the applicant identify alternatives to the project proposal. However, as part of the EIS process PSE was required to study other alternatives, including conservation/energy efficiency, new generation, and batteries. These alternatives were eventually eliminated because they did not solve the problem, did not meet federal planning standards, and would be difficult to permit, or rely on voluntary participation. Here is a link to the submitted Eastside System Energy Storage Alternatives Assessment submitted by PSE: https://edocs.rentonwa.gov/Documents/DocView.aspx? id=1338646&dbid=0&repo=CityofRenton A public hearing on the proposal has been tentatively scheduled for December 17th at 9:00 am in the City Council Chambers located on the 7th floor of City Hall, you may wish to attend and testify. Please let me know if you have additional questions regarding this project. Thank you, Jill Ding Senior Planner City of Renton Community and Economic Development 6th floor 1055 S Grady Way Renton, WA 98057 425-430-6598 jding@rentonwa.gov