SEPA Review
What is SEPA?
The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) was established in 1971 in response to public concern that government decisions did not reflect environmental considerations. SEPA provides a framework for public agencies to consider the environmental consequences of a proposed project. Initial review under SEPA typically determines whether an EIS is necessary. In the case of Energize Eastside, PSE and the cooperating agencies agreed in advance that an EIS would be necessary. The information provided in an EIS can be used to change a proposal to reduce likely impacts, or to condition or deny a proposal when significant adverse environmental impacts are identified.
For more detailed information about the SEPA process, visit the Washington State Department of Ecology’s SEPA web page.
For information about the best way to comment during an EIS process, view the State's SEPA Review and Commenting Guidance.
Who conducts the SEPA review process?
For the SEPA review of the Energize Eastside project, the City of Bellevue served as the “nominal lead agency” responsible for identifying and evaluating the probable adverse environmental impacts of the proposed project. The City of Bellevue’s Development Services Department oversaw preparation of the EIS with concurrence from other affected jurisdictions. These included the cities of Redmond, Kirkland, Newcastle and Renton, each of which served as “co-lead agencies”. As required by SEPA rules, an Interagency Agreement for EIS Preparation was approved by each city council.
Two Draft EIS documents were prepared as part of the SEPA review of the Energize Eastside EIS project. The Final EIS responds to public and agency comments on both Phase 1 and Phase 2 Draft EISs. See the Overview page for more information.
The Final EIS provides information to all agencies that must approve the proposed Energize Eastside project. The agency decision-makers will consider the EIS along with technical, economic, and other information as they decide whether to approve the project and issue necessary permits. Under SEPA regulations, permitting agencies have the authority to condition the proposed project with particular requirements when specific adverse environmental impacts are identified in the EIS.
The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) was established in 1971 in response to public concern that government decisions did not reflect environmental considerations. SEPA provides a framework for public agencies to consider the environmental consequences of a proposed project. Initial review under SEPA typically determines whether an EIS is necessary. In the case of Energize Eastside, PSE and the cooperating agencies agreed in advance that an EIS would be necessary. The information provided in an EIS can be used to change a proposal to reduce likely impacts, or to condition or deny a proposal when significant adverse environmental impacts are identified.
For more detailed information about the SEPA process, visit the Washington State Department of Ecology’s SEPA web page.
For information about the best way to comment during an EIS process, view the State's SEPA Review and Commenting Guidance.
Who conducts the SEPA review process?
For the SEPA review of the Energize Eastside project, the City of Bellevue served as the “nominal lead agency” responsible for identifying and evaluating the probable adverse environmental impacts of the proposed project. The City of Bellevue’s Development Services Department oversaw preparation of the EIS with concurrence from other affected jurisdictions. These included the cities of Redmond, Kirkland, Newcastle and Renton, each of which served as “co-lead agencies”. As required by SEPA rules, an Interagency Agreement for EIS Preparation was approved by each city council.
Two Draft EIS documents were prepared as part of the SEPA review of the Energize Eastside EIS project. The Final EIS responds to public and agency comments on both Phase 1 and Phase 2 Draft EISs. See the Overview page for more information.
The Final EIS provides information to all agencies that must approve the proposed Energize Eastside project. The agency decision-makers will consider the EIS along with technical, economic, and other information as they decide whether to approve the project and issue necessary permits. Under SEPA regulations, permitting agencies have the authority to condition the proposed project with particular requirements when specific adverse environmental impacts are identified in the EIS.