The Bellevue City Council approved a $1.4 million contract with Environmental Science Associates on Tuesday to prepare draft and final environmental impact statements for Puget Sound Energy’s Energize Eastside project.

Councilmember Jennifer Robertson addressed concerns about starting the EIS process ahead of the completion of the city’s independent study to confirm the future need for increased energy capacity as reported by PSE. City staff reported the study is expected to be completed in February, ahead of the start of the EIS process. The cost of the EIS will be recovered through a third-party contract with PSE, said Carol Helland, assistant director for development services.

The city will work with four other Eastside cities from Renton to Redmond during the EIS process, a majority vote required for most major milestones.

Robertson said she wants part of the scope to include the economic impact of PSE’s transmission line alignment on property values. The 18-mile project will affect a number of residential areas in Bellevue, which has prompted residents to protest the erection of taller power poles in their neighborhoods rather than alternative energy solutions.

Senior land use planner David Pyle told council each city can add elements to the environmental impact statement process, as the city is doing with its demand study.

The council approved a contract for up to $100,000 with Utility Systems Efficiencies to conduct the independent technical analysis of PSE’s Energize Eastside project in December. Senior Planner Nicholas Matz elaborated on USE’s experience and qualifications earlier in Tuesday’s meeting, adding consultants would hold a Skype discussion with members of the Coalition of Eastside Neighborhoods for Sensible Energy during this week.