Bellevue released the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Energize Eastside last week. At 715 pages, it is somewhat daunting for most people to read.

Let’s look at the broad picture. The EIS lists four alternatives and four options for one alternative, but it’s important to know that not every choice is equally viable. For example, the EIS looks at an underground line and a line submerged in Lake Washington. There are state regulations that make these financially infeasible for our cities.

In the end, there are only two realistic alternatives: the overhead transmission line that is strongly opposed by residents, and alternative 2, a collection of innovative technologies and policies.

The transmission line would require an upfront investment of a quarter billion dollars for a grossly-outsized solution that is a security and reliability risk. Alternative 2 creates a 21st century distributed energy network with lower cost, higher reliability and better support for the environment. Just not as much profit for Puget Sound Energy, so the company will argue against it.

Don Marsh

CENSE.org president