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of additional County review for "consistency with local policies, laws, customs, and culture," as this language may <br />introduce uncertainty without further definition. <br />U-P17: It is the position of Kittitas County that it is inappropriate for utilities to over or under build other utilities. A <br />specific example of such requirements may be found in RCW 35A.14.900 and other state laws. <br />PSE requests clarification of the terms "over build" and "under build" as used in this policy. The cited statutory <br />example (RCW 35A.14.900) relates specifically to annexation scenarios, in which county franchises are replaced by <br />city franchises. Additional context would help utilities better understand how this policy is intended to apply outside <br />of annexation circumstances. <br />U-6`7: Plan for, coordinate, and allow the expansion of solar production, small nuclear and wind facilities to improve <br />the resilience of Kittitas County. Ensure codes encourage upfront mitigation for project impacts and are properly sited. <br />PSE appreciates the County's support for solar, wind, and small nuclear resources. We would also advocate for the <br />inclusion of battery energy storage systems to improve system reliability and community resilience. Energy storage <br />technologies play an increasingly important role in supporting grid stability, integrating renewable generation, <br />managing peak demand and improving outage response. <br />PSE supports the policies under this goal that direct the County to provide study requirements, mitigation measures, <br />preferred siting considerations, and a streamlined permitting process. As noted above for transmission, maintaining <br />momentum and flexibility in infrastructure siting will be critical to meeting the County's growing and evolving energy <br />needs. <br />CR-P8: Work with energy utilities to improve the safety and reliability of infrastructure replace with during extreme <br />heat events. <br />In 2025, PSE invested nearly $85 million in grid strengthening projects, with a large portion of this work concentrated <br />in Kittitas County. This included equipment upgrades, underground conversions and tree wire installations. We have <br />also installed 15 weather stations and seven Pano Al smoke -detecting cameras with viewsheds in the County, with an <br />additional two planned for 2026. We share camera access with more than 270 emergency response agencies <br />throughout our service territory, including fire districts, DNR and the Kittitas 911 center, which improve detection and <br />response times. PSE will continue to invest in wildfire mitigation and vegetation management to reduce risk, protect <br />our communities and maintain reliable electric service. <br />PSE has been a long-standing community partner, electric utility provider and renewable energy operator in Kittitas <br />County. We are committed to supporting Kittitas County's economic growth by investing in electric infrastructure that <br />serves existing customers, attracts new business and supports housing and employment growth. We will also <br />continue to work alongside Kittitas County to support renewable energy projects that contribute to the local tax base, <br />landowner income, long-term capacity, and the clean energy economy. <br />PSE looks forward to continued collaboration with Kittitas County as the Comprehensive Plan is refined. Thank you for <br />considering our comments and for your commitment to thoughtful, forward -looking utility planning. <br />Sincerely, <br />~L <br />Carryn Vande Griend <br />Puget Sound Energy <br />Local Government Affairs <br />