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PUGET SOUND ENERGY <br /> Puget Sound Energy <br /> P.O.Box 97034 <br /> Bellevue,WA 98009-9734 <br /> PSE.com <br /> March 2, 2026 <br /> Kittitas County Community Development Services <br /> 411 N Ruby St, Suite 2 <br /> Ellensburg,WA 98926 <br /> Dear Kittitas County Commissioners and Planning Staff, <br /> Puget Sound Energy(PSE)appreciates the opportunity to provide comment on the Utilities Chapter of the Kittitas <br /> County Draft Comprehensive Plan.As the local electric utility serving much of the county, PSE supports the County's <br /> efforts to plan for reliable, resilient, and affordable utility infrastructure that meets the needs of existing and future <br /> residents while respecting environmental and community values. <br /> To that end,we respectfully submit the following comments on the Draft Comprehensive Plan policies <br /> U-P4:Encourage joint electric utility construction standards for all electrical infrastructure constructed in the urban <br /> growth area. In the interim, Puget Sound Energy and the Kittitas County Public Utility District will allow the City of <br /> Ellensburg to review any new construction in the urban growth area. <br /> PSE will continue to comply with applicable regulations governing electric infrastructure in urban growth areas. The <br /> draft policy references a review process that is unclear as it applies to the Cle Elum and Kittitas UGAs. We respectfully <br /> request clarification regarding the specific review expectations and processes for those areas to ensure predictability <br /> and consistency in project planning and permitting. <br /> U-P5:Coordinate with other utilities to create a County-wide utilities location map using GIS mapping. <br /> PSE supports coordination with the County on utilities planning and recognizes the value of accurate mapping. <br /> However,we are unable to comply with a blanket requirement to provide GIS utility data for County publication due <br /> to privacy,security,and critical infrastructure protection requirements. PSE is willing to work collaboratively with the <br /> County to respond to individual data requests in accordance with our established data-sharing protocols. <br /> P7:Advocate for avoiding, where possible, routing major electric transmission lines above 55 kilovolts through urban <br /> areas and critical areas. <br /> PSE is subject to extensive state and local permitting requirements that prioritize avoiding critical areas unless no <br /> reasonable alternative exists. While we support thoughtful siting practices, it is important that the Comprehensive <br /> Plan maintain flexibility to allow for infrastructure decisions that ensure continued access to safe, reliable, and <br /> affordable power as regional load and capacity demands increase. <br /> U-P16:Any and all easement rights shall be acquired under normal lawful procedures. Process permits and approvals <br /> for all utility facilities in a fair and timely manner, and in accordance with the development regulations that ensure <br /> predictability and project concurrency. Trespass on utility easements shall be discouraged. Kittitas County reserves the <br /> right to review all applications for utilities placed within or through the County for consistency with local policies, laws, <br /> customs, and culture. <br /> PSE appreciates the County's stated commitment to timely permit processing and enforcement of utility easements. <br /> We comply with all applicable code and regulatory requirements. However,we seek clarification regarding the scope <br />