Laserfiche WebLink
Kimley>>>Horn <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> Chad Bala, Community Development Services Director <br /> To: Ellie Myers, Planner <br /> From: Zoe Tapert, Clay White <br /> Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. <br /> Date: August 101h 2026 <br /> Subject: Clean Energy Siting and Permitting (CESP) Project Update <br /> Overview <br /> Kittitas County is progressing the Clean Energy Siting and Permitting (CESP) Project to evaluate and <br /> update how energy facilities are sited and permitted in the County. The CESP Project includes <br /> completion of a programmatic Environmental Impact Statement(EIS)to identify suitable locations, <br /> potential impacts, and mitigation measures for utility scale solar, utility scale wind, geothermal energy, <br /> battery energy storage systems (BESS), and small modular reactors (SMRs). The EIS will inform <br /> code updates which will be developed and issued for public review, along with public <br /> meetings/hearing after the Draft EIS issuance. <br /> Recent Project Updates <br /> Since the project team last provided an update, the following developments have occurred: <br /> • The Draft EIS is under development with reviews by County staff as draft sections are <br /> prepared. <br /> • Stakeholders and Tribal staff meetings completed (Week of July 20th). These discussions <br /> were intended to gather technical expertise, hear local perspectives, <br /> and discuss opportunities and concerns.The project team met with 12 groups (49 total <br /> attendees) including the following parties: Local government departments,fire districts, state <br /> and federal agencies, environmental groups, agricultural groups, Central Washington <br /> University, and Tribal staff from Yakama Nation, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, and Confederated <br /> Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Summaries of these meetings are available upon request, <br /> and the information gathered is being considered as the Draft EIS is being prepared. <br /> • The project website continues to be updated as the project moves forward and is a great <br /> source of information for those interested in learning more about the project. <br /> Project Schedule & Next Steps <br /> The CESP Project is currently on schedule. The project team will continue preparing the Draft EIS. <br /> The anticipated Draft EIS issuance is scheduled for Fall 2026 with a public comment period and a <br />