HomeMy WebLinkAboutC_Public_Comment_63ONKing County
Sexual Assault
Resource Center
December 31, 2019
Hearing Examiner
c/o City Clerk's Office
Renton City Hall
1055 S Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
Re: Energize Eastside permit application # LUA18-000055
Dear Hearing Examiner:
On behalf of King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC) and all of the clients we
serve, I am writing to provide our comments on the Renton permit application for PSE's
Energize Eastside project.
KCSARC is a 501c3 non profit located in Renton. For over 40 years, we have been providing
direct services to people of all ages, genders, races, and cultural backgrounds in Renton and
throughout King County. Our ultimate goal is the elimination of sexual violence and abuse from
our communities. We're on the front line with victims and their families, ensuring that all people
affected by sexual assault get the treatment they need and advocacy they deserve. We're also
at the forefront of change, guiding public policy development and delivering best practice
education to create safer environments for everyone.
In 2018 we provided nearly 5000 individuals and their families with direct services. These
services include legal advocacy, therapy, parent education, prevention education and outreach
and a 24-hour resource line where we answered 3,245 calls, providing information, crisis
support, and referrals.
It goes without saying that we would not be able to provide our clients, some of the most
vulnerable in our Renton and Eastside communities, with these critical services without reliable
power. We understand that the last time this infrastructure was last upgraded was in the 1960's
— that seems alarming to us given the growth in our region and in Renton. We are supportive of
PSE's permit application and we are appreciative that they chose to implement this needed
upgrade in their existing utility corridor. We recognize the urgency to get this project built given
the prospects of rolling blackouts, we are extremely concerned about our ability to serve our
clients under that scenario.
The significance of Energize Eastside to the health of our clients in Renton and on the Eastside
cannot be understated. We urge you to recommend approval of the permit for Energize
Eastside.
Sincere,
Mary ellen Stone
Executive Director
24-hour Sexual Assault Resource Line Post Office Bax 300 tell 425.226.5062
888.99.VOICE Renton, WA 98057 fax 425.235.7422
www.kcsarc.org
Toll-free in Western WA only