The Scoping Comment Period is Open
The 45-day Public Scoping Comment Period for Phase 1 of the Energize Eastside EIS commences April 30, 2015 and closes at 5pm on June 15, 2015. During this time, the EIS team will be accepting comments about the programmatic nature of the Energize Eastside EIS. Detailed, substantive and relevant comments will be helpful in determining what will be analyzed in the EIS.

Please note, comments for Phase 1 should focus on the programmatic aspects of the project. Programmatic aspects include issues such as whether or not the type of project PSE has proposed is the best way to improve electrical grid reliability for eastside communities, and what other types of solutions should be explored. Phase 2 of the project is when comments about project design and construction will be accepted.

Five public scoping meetings will be held in May to provide information about the Energize Eastside EIS and to receive public scoping comments. If you are unable to attend a meeting or would prefer to provide comments remotely, you can do so on our online public scoping comment form, or by submitting comments via email or mail to Project Manager David Pyle. Please provide your full name and mailing address when submitting comments. If you do not provide your physical mailing address you will not be considered a “party of record.” Being a party of record is necessary to appeal the adequacy of the EIS. Prior to submitting comments, please take a moment to review the Phase 1 scoping background materials. 

After the scoping period closes we will post a scoping comment summary on this website and begin preparation of the Phase 1 Draft EIS.

What is EIS Scoping?
Scoping is one of the first steps in the EIS process. The purpose of scoping is to: 

• narrow the focus of the EIS to significant environmental issues, 
  
• eliminate insignificant impacts from detailed study, and 
  
• identify alternatives to be analyzed in the EIS. 
  


Scoping also provides notice to the public and other agencies that an EIS is being prepared, and initiates their involvement in the process. As the SEPA Lead Agency, the City of Bellevue has provided formal notice of a scoping period (45 days), inviting agencies, tribes, and the public to comment on the range of alternatives, areas of impact, and possible mitigation measures that should be evaluated in the EIS.