Phase 1 Draft EIS
What is the Phase 1 Draft EIS?
The EIS is a two-phased process providing environmental review of PSE's proposal and alternatives. The programmatic Phase 1 Draft EIS broadly evaluates the general impacts and implications associated with the options available to address PSE’s identified objectives for the project. For the second phase of the analysis, Bellevue's Environmental Coordinator will work with the partner cities for the SEPA process and will select among the alternatives to be evaluated in Phase 2. The Phase 2 Draft EIS will be a project-level evaluation, describing impacts at a site-specific and project-specific level. A Final EIS will be issued after completion of the Phase 2 Draft EIS process.
Download the Phase 1 Draft EIS
Note: The complete Draft EIS document is a large file which may take a few moments to download. Smaller sections of the Draft EIS are also available below for download.
The EIS is a two-phased process providing environmental review of PSE's proposal and alternatives. The programmatic Phase 1 Draft EIS broadly evaluates the general impacts and implications associated with the options available to address PSE’s identified objectives for the project. For the second phase of the analysis, Bellevue's Environmental Coordinator will work with the partner cities for the SEPA process and will select among the alternatives to be evaluated in Phase 2. The Phase 2 Draft EIS will be a project-level evaluation, describing impacts at a site-specific and project-specific level. A Final EIS will be issued after completion of the Phase 2 Draft EIS process.
Download the Phase 1 Draft EIS
Note: The complete Draft EIS document is a large file which may take a few moments to download. Smaller sections of the Draft EIS are also available below for download.
| complete_energize_eastside_project_phase_1_draft_eis_with_appendices.pdf |
| 00_cover_letter_fact_sheet_table_of_contents_glossary.pdf |
| 01_chapter_1_introduction_and_summary.pdf |
| 02_chapter_2_project_alternatives.pdf |
| 03_chapter_3_earth.pdf |
| 04_chapter_4_greenhouse_gas_emissions.pdf |
| 05_chapter_5_water_resources.pdf |
| 06_chapter_6_plants_and_animals.pdf |
| 07_chapter_7_energy_and_natural_resources.pdf |
| 08_chapter_8_environmental_health.pdf |
| 09_chapter_9_noise.pdf |
| 10_chapter_10_land_use_and_housing.pdf |
| 11_chapter_11_views_and_visual_resources.pdf |
| 12_chapter_12_recreation.pdf |
| 13_chapter_13_historic_and_cultural_resources.pdf |
| 14_chapter_14_transportation.pdf |
| 15_chapter_15_public_services.pdf |
| 16_chapter_16_utilities.pdf |
| 17_chapter_17_references.pdf |
| 18_chapter_18_distribution_list.pdf |
| appendix_a_-_pse_conservation_program.pdf |
| appendix_b_-_potential_construction_equipment.pdf |
| appendix_c_-_endangered_and_threatened_species.pdf |
| appendix_d_-_soil_types_and_groundwater_in_study_area.pdf |
| appendix_e_-_planning_documents_references_for_this_analysis.pdf |
| appendix_f_-_potentially_applicable_comp_plan_and_smp_goals_and_policies.pdf |
| appendix_g_-_applicable_policies_and_code_requirements.pdf |
| appendix_h_-_historic_and_cultural_sites.pdf |
| appendix_i_-_registered_historic_properties.pdf |
| appendix_j_-_description_of_applicable_historic_registers.pdf |
| appendix_k_-_interview_questions_for_fire_departments.pdf |
| appendix_l_-_interview_questions_for_police_departments.pdf |
| appendix_m_-_pipeline_safety_requirements_and_plans_relating_to_petroleum_pipelines.pdf |
Interactive Maps
Nine maps in the Phase 1 Draft EIS have been converted to an online, interactive format to allow people to zoom in and out. Click on the below links to explore the maps.
Figure 3-1: Landslide and Erosion Hazard Areas
Figure 5-1: Major Water Resources
Figure 6-2: Vegetation Cover
Figure 10-2: Future Land Uses
Figure 10-5: Existing Land Uses
Figure 11-13: Property View Scores
Figure 12-1: Recreation Sites
Figure 16-1: Existing Electric Transmission and Natural Gas/Petroleum Pipelines
Figure 16-2: Existing Regional Wastewater and Water Lines
Nine maps in the Phase 1 Draft EIS have been converted to an online, interactive format to allow people to zoom in and out. Click on the below links to explore the maps.
Figure 3-1: Landslide and Erosion Hazard Areas
Figure 5-1: Major Water Resources
Figure 6-2: Vegetation Cover
Figure 10-2: Future Land Uses
Figure 10-5: Existing Land Uses
Figure 11-13: Property View Scores
Figure 12-1: Recreation Sites
Figure 16-1: Existing Electric Transmission and Natural Gas/Petroleum Pipelines
Figure 16-2: Existing Regional Wastewater and Water Lines
Alternatives Studied in the Phase 1 Draft EIS
The No-Action Alternative plus three action alternatives are analyzed in the Phase 1 Draft EIS. Descriptions of the alternatives are provided below.
The No-Action Alternative plus three action alternatives are analyzed in the Phase 1 Draft EIS. Descriptions of the alternatives are provided below.
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No-Action Alternative
The No-Action Alternative is required under SEPA, as a baseline against which the action alternatives can be compared. Under this alternative, maintenance and certain other activities that do not require state or local government approvals could continue. No new 230 kV line, substation, major battery storage or generation facility would be built. The No Action Alternative is defined as those actions PSE would undertake when needed to serve the project objectives without requiring issuance of state or local permits (something PSE could build or undertake if the proposed project is not approved). The No Action Alternative represents the most likely outcome if the proposed project is not implemented, and it is considered the baseline condition. |
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Alternative 1
Alternative 1 - adding a new 230kV to an existing 115kV substation and connecting it with the Talbot Hill and Sammamish substations via a new 230 kV transmission line - is PSE’s preferred solution. This solution would provide a new 230 kV transmission source and improve reliability for the Eastside area. To provide the greatest system benefit, the new transformer would need to be located somewhere between State Route 520 and Interstate 90. For the Phase 1 Draft EIS, three basic types of 230 kV transmission line installations are considered capable of meeting the project objectives: overhead (new as well as existing transmission lines), underground, and underwater (submerged). The new 230 kV line could also be a combination of these types. |
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Alternative 2
Alternative 2 is defined as a combination of a number of methods to conserve or deliver power within the Eastside that would be deployed in some fashion to meet PSE’s objectives, including:
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Alternative 3
Under Alternative 3, new 230 kV to 115 kV transformers would be installed at the Lake Tradition, Talbot Hill, and Sammamish substations and approximately 60 miles of new 115 kV transmission lines would be installed on the Eastside, including areas east of Lake Sammamish. In addition, there would be modifications required at seven other substations throughout the Eastside. Five substation sites would need to be expanded and additional security measures would be required. At Sammamish and Talbot Hill, this would result in three 230 kV to 115 kV transformers being located in the same substation. |
Comment Period
We are currently accepting comments on the Phase 1 Draft EIS, which was published on January 28, 2016. The deadline for submitting your comments is Monday, March 14, 2016. All comments related to the Phase 1 Draft EIS must be submitted before or on this date. You may submit comments in writing using our online comment form or by emailing or mailing them to the addresses listed below, or by providing oral testimony at one of five public hearings being held in February and March on the Phase 1 Draft EIS. Visit our Participate page for tips on ways to make your comments most effective.
To become a party of record, you must submit your physical mailing address with your comment. Being a party of record is necessary for any legal appeals regarding the adequacy of the EIS.
Email: [email protected]
Post: City of Bellevue
Development Services Department
Attn: Heidi Bedwell
450 110th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
Phase 1 Draft EIS Public Hearings/Open Houses
Five public hearings are being held in February and March to provide information about the Energize Eastside EIS and to receive public comments on the Phase 1 Draft EIS. Learn more about the public hearings.
