HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-09-minutes-cds-study-sessionKITTITAS COUNTY
CDS STUDY SESSION MINUTES
COMMISSIONERS' AUDITORIUM, 205 WEST 5th ROOM 109
Regular Meeting
MONDAY 2:30 PM March 9, 2026
Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright, Vice -Chairman Brett
Wachsmith, and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Chad Bala, Gail Weyand, Jamey Ayling, Jeremy Johnston,
Community Development Services, Stephanie Hartung, Chief Civil
Deputy, and (2) two members of the public.
At 2:30 pm Chair Wright opened the Community Development
Services Study Session.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
There were no citizen comments.
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
CDS Director Chad Bala presented that CDS has been awarded the
Clean Energy Site Permitting (CESP) grant. This grant allows CDS
to complete a programmatic EIS over the entire county and take a
look at areas that may be viable for clean energy types of
development. The grant also deals with the environmental
factors, the mitigation process and procedures. Staff has
participated in programmatic EIS workshops with the Department
of Ecology and EFSEC and.the consultants have been hired.`CDS
Director Bala stated that the packet provided includes a memo
from our consultants with the different energy uses and it
includes examples of the energy components. Staff recommends
moving forward with wind energy, solar, battery storage, small
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modular reactors system and the geothermal energy system and
adding the small nuclear system and geothermal energy.
Chair Cory Wright asked why we were not proceeding with the
biofuel. CDS Director Bala stated the biofuel has a lot of
reliance on biomass and there is already a facility in Spokane.
There is a lot of fuel required, and we are looking for clean
energy sources. Staff is looking at the heavy areas with shrub -
steppe that may provide us with a pathway of mitigation. One
major deciding factor is where these will be located.
Chair Cory Wright suggested staff connect with PUD and bring
this item back for discussion after checking in with them. He
stated PUD is currently pursuing geothermal work with Energy
Northwest. CDS Director Bala stated he will and asked if staff
could move forward with the two additional uses so we could move
forward with Chamber of Commerce. The timeframe for scoping is
to be completed by April lst and have all of the grant completed
by June 2027. Planning Manager Jamey Ayling mentioned PUD is on
our list of stakeholders. Staff was directed to proceed.
OTHER BUSINESS
Director Bala gave a briefing
meeting coming up on March 17th
March 2nd. Director Bala said w
from Future wise, PSE, Friends
residents.
Meeting concluded at 2:39 p.m.
bout the Planning Commission
The comment period ended on
received 12 comments, some were
of Easton, KFRD, WDFD, and Easton
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
2026-3-9
MINUTES 2
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Gail Weyand,Chlef Cory Wright, Chairman
Administator
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MINUTES