HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-09-cds-study-session-supporting-documents KITTITAS COUNTY
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT
STUDY SESSION DATE: March 9 h, 2026
ACTION REQUESTED: Staff direction on preferred clean energy uses to pursue.
BACKGROUND: KCCDS has been awarded the Clean Energy Site
Permitting(CESP) grant. This grant allows Kittitas County
to prepare for clean energy development while ensuring
environmental protection aligning with the state climate
and energy goals.
This amendment authorizes the CDS Director to move
forward with the Clean Energy Siting and Permitting
(CESP) Grant funding and administer payments for work
related to the CESP Grant.
INTERACTION: Kittitas County Community Development Services
Department.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff Direction on types of uses other than Wind, Solar,
Battery Storage.
HANDLING: None.
ATTACHMENTS: Energy Memo list.
LEAD STAFF: Chad Bala, Director.
Kimley))) Horn
MEMORANDUM
To: Chad Bala and Jeremy Johnston, Kittitas County
From: Anna Lundin and Zoe Tapert
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
Date: February 26th, 2026
Subject: Clean Energy Types in Washington State
The purpose of this memo is to provide high-level informational material with linked resources on the
clean energy resources in and coming to Washington State to help in County discussions on clean
energy siting and permitting. The current project focus in the scope of work is clean energy with call
outs to solar,wind, and battery energy storage systems.
Overview
Current Kittitas County . . -
Chapter 17.61 Utilities
Geothermal power facility
Major thermal power plant facility
Major alternative energy facility
Chapter 17.61A Wind Farm Resource Overlay Zone
Wind Farms
Chapter 17.61 B Small Wind Energy Systems
mall wind energy system
Chapter 17.61 C Solar Power Production Facilities
Solar Power Production Facilities—includes batteries
The energy types provided in the sections below include: Solar, wind, energy storage systems,
nuclear, geothermal, renewable natural gas, biofuel, biomass energy, hydrogen, and other
generalized renewable/alternative energy terms.
Solar Energy
Common solar types:
• Distributed—less than 1 megawatt
o Small individual rooftop solar
o Community solar
• Utility scale solar farms
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The Washington State Department of Ecology has programmatic EIS materials for utility scale solar
(alone, with BESS, and includes agriculture uses) linked here.
Washington State Definitions:
■ Under Clean Energy Transformation Act(CETA), RCW 19.405.020: No definition
■ RCW 36.70.025: "Splay ever 5 stem"defined.
■ WAC 504-49-180
Wind Energy
Common names:
■ Small wind energy
Wind farms
The Washington State Department of Ecology has programmatic EIS materials for utility scale
onshore wind (alone, with BESS, and includes agriculture uses) linked here.
Washington State Definitions:
■ Under CETA, RCW 19.405.020: No definition
Under RCW 80.50.020: No definition
• Under RCW 70A.550.010
o (6) "Utility-scale wind energy facility means a facility used in the generation of
electricity by means of turbines or other devices that capture and employ the kinetic
energy of the wind and:
■ Is required under federal aviation administration regulations, guidelines,
circulars, or standards, as they existed as of January 1, 2023, to have
obstruction lights; or
■ Has at least one obstruction light and at least one wind turbine with a hub
height of at least 75 feet above ground level.
Energy Storage Systems
Energy storage systems include battery energy storage systems (BESS) but are not limited to this
form. The different types include thermal, mechanical, and chemical energy storage systems. BESS
is a chemical storage system.
More information: Electricit Stora s US EPA
BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
Status: Newer, not emerging, but key component to clean energy systems
The Washington State Department of Ecology studied BESS impacts alongside utility-scale wind and
solar as part of programmatic EIS: linked here.
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The Washington Legislature has a current bill in session with a working definition of
BESS. Current draft HB 1960:
o "Battery electric storage systems" means commercially available technology that is capable of
retaining electricity, storing the energy for a period of time, and delivering the electricity
after storage by chemical, thermal, mechanical, or other means that has at least 10
megawatts of storage that is not subject to the provisions of chapter 84.12 RCW.
• "Battery electric storage systems" does not include any form of hydroelectric power.
Additional Resources:
• MRSC-Battery Energy 5torae Systems—Coming Soon to Your Commune
MECHANICAL ENERGY STORAGE
The mechanical pump storage (for hydropower)example from the Yakama Nation:
Feds greenlight 2B renewable ene[gy project on Yakama Nation sacred site •Washington State
Standard
Nuclear
SMALL MODULAR REACTORS (SMR)
"Small modular reactors"are a type of nuclear energy. "Small cell nuclear' is a more specific type of
small modular reactor. The technology for SMR is emerging rapidly and is a federal focus. SMR can
include plutonium. Federal lands can be used to expedite the deployment of SMR. Given
the amount of federal lands in Kittitas County, the area the County could consider is something in
writing which can provide a buffer from private or public property that lies in county/state jurisdiction.
Washington State Definitions: None found.
Additional Resources:
International Atomic Energy Agency: What are Small Modular Reactors SMRs ? I iAEA
DOE:Advanced Small Modular Reactors SMRs Department of Ener
Richland, WA—Amazon Project:What are SMRs?See what one of the first SMR facilities in
the U.S. could look like
Geothermal Energy
Not all geothermal energy systems are equal in their impacts. Typically, geothermal energy is a
closed system and more benign in impacts. The more emerging geothermal energy(primarily
occurring in Utah) is utility-scale, which is an open system that is more uncertain but could have a
much larger subsurface impact.
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The Washington State Department of Ecology is currently exploring a programmatic EIS for
geothermal energy and is hosting webinars to share information and gather feedback: Geothermal
enemy collaborative process-Washington State Department of Ecology
Washington State Definitions:
Under RCW 78.60.030
o (7)(a)"Geothermal resources" includes the natural heat of the earth, the energy, in
whatever form, below the surface of the earth present in, resulting from, or created by, or
that may be extracted from, the natural heat, and all minerals in solution or other products
obtained from naturally heated fluids, brines, associated gases and steam, in whatever
form,found below the surface of the earth, exclusive of helium or oil, hydrocarbon gas or
other hydrocarbon substances, but including, specifically:
o (i)All products of geothermal processes, including indigenous steam, and hot
water and hot brines;
o (ii)Steam and other bases, hot water and hot brines resulting from water, gas, or
other fluids artificially introduced into geothermal formations;
o (iii) Heat or other associated energy found in geothermal formations; and
o (iv)Any by-product derived from them.
o (b)"Geothermal resources"does not include heat energy used in ground source heat
exchange systems for ground source heat pumps.
Renewable Natural Gas and Biiofuel
Both are fossil fuel based and politically charged as falling under the"clean energy" umbrella.
RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS
Many states don't recognize renewable natural gas as a separate gas from natural
gas. It's not always significantly cleaner than unscrubbed natural gas. Would be best grouped with
any oil/gas regulations the County has.
Washington State Definitions:
Under CETA, RCW 19.405.020(32) ...a gas consisting largely of methane and other
hydrocarbons derived from the decomposition of organic material in landfills,wastewater
treatment facilities, and anaerobic digesters.
BIOFUEL
Washington State Definitions:
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• Under CETA, RCW 19.405.020: No definition
• RCW 80.50.020: Definitions.
• (5)"Biofuel" means a liquid or gaseous fuel derived from organic matter including, but
not limited to, biodiesel, renewable diesel, ethanol, renewable natural gas, and
renewable propane.
Biomass Energy
The products used in biomass energy are usually combusted and would trigger air emissions
permitting.
Washington State Definitions:
Under CETA, RCW 19.405.020(5)
• (a) Includes:
(i)Organic by-products of pulping and the wood manufacturing process; (ii)
animal manure; (iii)solid organic fuels from wood;(iv)forest or field residues;
(v)untreated wooden demolition or construction debris; (vi)food waste and
food processing residuals; (vii)liquors derived from algae; (viii)dedicated
energy crops; and (ix)yard waste.
• (b) Does not include:
• (i)Wood pieces that have been treated with chemical preservatives such as
creosote, pentachlorophenol, or copper-chrome-arsenic; (ii)wood from old
growth forests; or(iii) municipal solid waste.
Hydrogen Energy
Hydrogen energy can be a fuel or storage system and is growing increasingly complicated in its
regulations. It largely depends on how it's used and stored. Many counties are deterred from it
because of its complexities and are left for a state level.
KimlerMorn Page
Hydrogen Colour Mode of Production Fuel Carbon Intensity
Electricity froni%nd,Solar,
Green Hydrogen Ceotherrnal,tidal,Hydra
Nuclear heal and
Purple/PinkHydrogen Electrolysis electricity/Nuclear c•Icct€icity Neal reao
in electrolysis
Solar c•Iectriarty
Stearn methane Reformirno, Low
Blue ' " Casification.C(S Naturalgasandaoal
Mediunoow-solid carbon by-
pyrolysis product
Natural qas -
Swam methane€erorminq f
(SMA)
(.oil Blown-tignrte,BLick;
Gasification Ellaok coal
HydrogenBlack
The Washington State Department of Ecology has programmatic EIS materials for green hydrogen
production and storage facilities linked here.
Washington State Definitions:
• Under CETA, RCW 19.405.020(31)
"Renewable hydrogen" means hydrogen produced using renewable resources both
as the source for the hydrogen and the source for the energy input into the
production process.
• Under RCW 80.50.020
(15)(a)"Green electrolytic hydrogen" means hydrogen produced through
electrolysis.
(b) "Green electrolytic hydrogen" does not include hydrogen manufactured
using steam reforming or any other conversion technology that produces
hydrogen from a fossil fuel feedstock.
. (16)"Green hydrogen carrier" means a chemical compound, created using electricity
or renewable resources as energy input and without use of fossil fuel as a feedstock,
from renewable hydrogen or green electrolytic hydrogen for the purposes of
transportation, storage, and dispensing of hydrogen.
Hydropower
This would be more state jurisdictional authority but see the storage facility with Yakama Nation.
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Wave, Ocean, Tidal
Not applicable to Kittitas County.
Generalized Clean Energy Terms
The following terms are provided to help in understanding the generalized terms that the state may
reference or how they are navigating emerging clean energy technologies.
RENEWABLE RESOURCE
Washington State Definitions:
• Under CETA, RCW 19.405.020(33)"Renewable resource" means:
• (a)Water; (b)wind; (c)solar energy; (d)geothermal energy; (e)renewable natural
gas; (f)renewable hydrogen; (g)wave, ocean, or tidal power; (h) biodiesel fuel that is
not derived from crops raised on land cleared from old growth or first growth forests;
or(i) biomass energy.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY RESOURCE
Washington State Definitions:
• Under RCW 80.50.020
(1)"Alternative energy resource" includes energy facilities of the following types: (a)
Wind; (b)solar energy; (c)geothermal energy; (d) renewable natural gas; (e)wave or
tidal action; (f) biomass energy based on solid organic fuels from wood, forest, or
field residues, or dedicated energy crops that do not include wood pieces that have
been treated with chemical preservatives such as creosote, pentachlorophenol, or
copper-chrome-arsenic; or(g) renewable or green electrolytic hydrogen.
EMERGING CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
In a 2025 Department of Ecology publication, the following energy types were identified as"emerging
clean energy technology": long duration energy storage, advanced nuclear, nuclear fusion, green
hydrogen, enhanced/advanced geothermal, sustainable aviation fuel, and anerobic digesters.
The recommendations from the Department of Ecology included:
Recommendation:
• Support local government response to emerging technologies
• Assist counties and cities in updating their local codes for emerging clean energy
technologies. This includes providing template language that could be modified to
meet local conditions and concerns. Emerging facility types may not be fully
addressed under current municipal codes and local planners are unlikely to have the
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technical background in these facilities to effectively review proposals. Support would
include connecting local governments with helpful resources and providing objective
and factual information on emerging technologies.
• Explore opportunities to fund agrivoltaic demonstration projects to provide counties
with on-the-ground experience when considering local code amendments to
potentially allow these types of projects on resource lands.
Identify and resolve obstacles to developing geothermal energy resources
Support exploratory drilling and water resource studies in geothermal areas of
interest to gather data.Areas of interest would be determined by agencies in
coordination with industry, utilities, communities, and Tribes.
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