Energize Eastside: Group advances two route options to PSE

A community advisory group formed to assist in selecting a preferred route for Puget Sound Energy to use for running 18 miles of 230kV transmission lines from Renton to Redmond left the energy company with two options to consider after its final meeting Wednesday night — a minority report is also forthcoming, explaining why some members chose none-of-the-above.

By Brandon Macz • December 11, 2014 2:35 pm
Concerned residents from Renton to Redmond attended the final community advisory group meeting for Puget Sound Energy's Energize Eastside project. The Coalition of Eastside Neighborhoods for Sensible Energy and its supporters wore orange shirts.
Concerned residents from Renton to Redmond attended the final community advisory group meeting for Puget Sound Energy's Energize Eastside project. The Coalition of Eastside Neighborhoods for Sensible Energy and its supporters wore orange shirts.

A community advisory group formed to assist in selecting a preferred route for Puget Sound Energy to use for running 18 miles of 230kV transmission lines from Renton to Redmond left the energy company with two options to consider after its final meeting Wednesday night — a minority report is also forthcoming, explaining why some members chose none-of-the-above.

The CAG had reduced route options it wanted PSE to consider from 18 to four in October, returning to the table Wednesday to come up with a final recommendation. The Redwood and Ash routes were easily crossed off the list, but CAG members waffled for more than an hour between Oak and Willow route options, some preferring one over the other, some wanting to keep both open to consideration and three declining to state a preference because none of the options were acceptable to them.

“This is not something that should be in anyone’s backyard,” said Steve O’Donnell, a CAG and Somerset Community Association member.

O’Donnell and Norm Hansen, also part of the Bridle Trails Community Club, said they would not choose an option because they believe PSE’s claims about its need to meet future energy demands on the Eastside have been inflated to satisfy outside interests in places like Canada.

“All of those forecasts are bogus,” O’Donnell said.

Hansen said he expects that to be the determination of a third-party energy consultant hired by the city of Bellevue to review PSE’s claims and determine future energy capacity, essentially ending the Energize Eastside project.

The Coalition of Eastside Neighborhoods for Sensible Energy, formed after PSE announced the project, had a strong showing during Wednesday’s meeting, speaking out against reports early in the meeting that the four routes that remained were the best of the alternatives presented. CENSE is pushing for alternative energy solutions that would not require erecting large power poles and running transmission lines through residential neighborhoods.

“We will not take questions or comments or heckling of any kind from the audience,” said Penny Mabie of Enviroissues, who directed the meeting. This was after a 15-minute public comment period was extended to the audience ahead of CAG deliberation.

All CAG members agreed the best route would be the one that affects the least amount of residential neighborhoods. Oak (Segments A-C-E-G2-I-K2-M-N) would run in the commercial area of Factoria Boulevard. However, that would require PSE to develop a corridor there. Willow (Segments A-C-E-J-M-N) would use an existing transmission line corridor and is being considered the cheapest option. Oak had a slight lead against Willow Wednesday night, and now both options and commentary from CAG members will be worked into a final report expected to be completed in mid-January, with a final route announcement coming from PSE sometime after in early 2015. Senior Project Manager Jens Nedrud said PSE will now begin to survey property lines along route options, focusing on the two most preferred by CAG.