The Kingfisher Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a proposed 14 acre project that would be located in unincorporated King County, immediately north of Mattson Middle School. Since it is located just over the border from the City of Covington, it will be permitted by King County or the State EFSEC process.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Battery Energy Storage System Regulations, Proposed Ordinance 2023-0263
To submit comments: E-mail: clerk.council@kingcounty.gov by 10:00am September 24, 2024 or click on our email button below or use our doc template under resources.
“The public hearing will be held at the King County Courthouse, 516 3rd Avenue, Room 1001, Seattle; remote public testimony on Zoom will also be accepted. Written public testimony will be accepted from 9 a.m. on August 23rd, 2024 through 10 a.m. on September 24, 2024, by sending such public testimony to clerk.council@kingcounty.gov. Please include the legislation number and related agenda item in the subject line. More information on the public hearing and how to participate in public testimony can be found at this website: https://www.kingcounty.gov/council/committees/full_council.aspx.”
Councilman Sarah Perry has developed a set of amendments to King County Code (K.C.C.) 21A, that she has presented to the King County Council for discussion and approval. These amendments do not go far enough to protect the environment, or ensure the safety and protection of citizens, residing or working near these large industrial energy facilities.
The specific amendment requiring “Financial responsibility for Public Liability and Environmental Risks,” restricts liability to one million dollars to cover damages from a thermal runaway event. This is wholly insufficient! For example, in the case of the proposed Kingfisher BESS in unincorporated King County, $1,000,000 will not cover clean-up of Soos Creek, the aquifer many depend on, the adjacent middle school, or provide medical reimbursement for individuals who may develop respiratory illness from the toxicity of the combustion. If evacuation is required, this level of liability would not cover the relocation of families living immediately adjacent to the facility, as the fire slowly burns out over many days; nor will it cover reparations to their homes and assets.
Given the high likelihood of evacuations and shelter-in-place orders arising from fires and explosions associated with lithium-ion BESS, there's a dire need to include additional liability and safety provisions to the amendments to this Ordinance. Specifically, the current proposal does not adequately address safety setbacks from critical structures and facilities. It is imperative that we enforce a minimum distance of 1/4 mile from schools and hospitals for BESS installations larger than 2MW. This should be applicable in all residential zones.
The county needs to consider the wider picture and the cumulative effects of these Lithium storage facilities. Lithium is not a renewable resource, and current extraction of this mineral is decimating sacred Native American sites. Lithium mining can contaminate the air, soil, and aquifers. It produces large amounts of carbon dioxide, and can result in local aquifer depletion as it is highly water intensive. There are several energy storage alternatives to lithium-ion, including sodium-ion, and finding safe and appropriate energy solutions is imperative, but not by compromising or threatening residents, wildlife, clean air and water, and firefighter safety.
The safety of our communities and the well-being of our environment hinge on these necessary revisions. We urge you to increase the public liability requirement, limit the siting of these facilities to include setbacks from schools and hospitals located in rural and residential areas.
Go To our Resources/Articles tab to look for letter templates or click the email tab below! Please take the time to respond!
Tenaska initially began their application by requesting a Conditional Use Permit from King County. The application to King County for the Kingfisher BESS was not fully completed and submitted (therefore, the county did not have an opportunity to reject it).
Tenaska changed direction and are likely planning to go through the EFSEC process as there was a lot of public outcry regarding the location of this proposed facility.
This change in permitting process is very common with renewables projects since applicants are able to permit through city, county, or state governments. Proper regulations are lacking at the local levels, and these facilities are getting pushed through before people wake up and understand the impacts.
Opponents of the Kingfisher BESS cite significant constraints that impact both human life and the environment. These are represented below:
Tenaska is continuing to complete the required SEPA studies prior to submitting an Application for Site Certification to EFSEC. In October of 2023, their environmental consultants, Dudek had technicians working in the PSE easement where the proposed high voltage interconnection towers would be placed. Biologists, wetland scientists and cultural resource professionals were completing surveys for Tenaska's Kingfisher Bess and high voltage line.
Other indications that Tenaska is still pursuing this Project site came in February 2024 when the Department of Ecology published this document A public notice requesting Clean Water Act Section 401 certification for the project. Within that document, it states that "Mitigation credits will be purchased through King County's Mitigation Reserves Program which has confirmed availability." The process is definitely moving forward. Tenaska will likely wait to see how the hearings go for the Skagit Bess that is currently under EFSEC review, before submitting this application.
The City Council of the City of Covington, Washington passed a temporary 12-month moratorium on the acceptance, processing, and/or approval of applications for building and land development permits and related land use decisions for battery energy storage system facilities proposed to be located in any zone within the City of Covington.
Passed by the City Council of Covington, Washington, at the City Council meeting of May 14, 2024 to be in full effect immediately, as provided by law. The full text of the ordinance will be mailed upon request.
https://www.covingtonwa.gov/newsdetail_T1_R2620.php
What is the difference between a Utility and a BESS?
A utility and a BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) are related but distinct parts of the electricity ecosystem:
Utility:
A company that transmits and distributes electricity to consumers.
Think of it as the pipeline that delivers electricity from power plants to your home.
Utilities are responsible for ensuring a reliable flow of electricity, managing grid stability, and customer service.
They are typically regulated by government agencies to ensure fair pricing and service quality.
BESS (Battery Energy Storage System):
A system that stores electrical energy for later use.
It's like a giant rechargeable battery for the power grid.
BESS can be used for various purposes, such as storing excess renewable energy (like solar or wind) for use during peak demand times, or providing backup power during outages.
BESS are typically owned and operated by utilities themselves, or by independent companies that sell their services to utilities.
Regulation:
Utilities are heavily regulated to ensure they operate in the public interest. This includes regulations on pricing, service standards, and safety.
BESS regulations are still evolving as the technology matures. In some cases, BESS may be regulated similarly to power plants, while in others they may be treated more like a service depending upon their size.
In short:
A utility is the company that delivers your electricity.
A BESS is a tool that utilities can use to manage the flow of electricity on the grid.
Both play a crucial role in ensuring a reliable and efficient electricity system, but they are subject to different levels of regulation.
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