Covington council renews six‑month moratorium on battery energy storage facilities

Covington — The Covington City Council voted April 22 to extend a temporary moratorium on the acceptance, processing and approval of applications for battery energy storage system facilities in the city for six months.

The extension was approved after a staff report from Senior Planner Selena that said the planning commission has added BESS regulation work to its 2025 work plan and that staff needs more time to draft code. "This would extend the 1‑year temporary moratorium in effect right now for six months," Selena said in her report to council.

The moratorium was first adopted last May. Staff told the council the city can extend a moratorium only in six‑month increments and that work to produce permanent development rules will likely continue into 2026. Selena said staff and the planning commission plan to review King County’s initial requirements, coordinate with energy experts and incorporate any applicable state guidance when available.

The hearing drew two public speakers. James Slay, a Covington resident, urged the council to keep the moratorium in place and cited research following fires at a battery facility in Moss Landing, Calif., that found toxic ash deposits: "I hope that you guys will continue this moratorium," Slay said.

Darcy Peterson, a Black Diamond council member and water‑district manager, told the council she is researching local uses for storage and said newer chemistries exist. "There is a lot more out there than just the fear," Peterson said, noting lithium‑iron and phosphate chemistries and monitoring technologies used in other local projects.

Councilmember Beth moved to approve the six‑month extension and Councilmember Joe seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote.

Why it matters: staff said the pause will allow the planning commission to complete code work, consider state guidance and evaluate land‑use and safety controls before the city accepts new BESS facility applications. Selena also told council staff attended a Department of Commerce training that may produce state guidance and a statewide energy‑mapping effort to help local jurisdictions with siting.

What happened next: the council motion to renew the moratorium passed; staff will continue the planning commission process and return proposed permanent regulations to council later in 2026 as available.

Details and next steps: Selena said the planning commission will review the city’s code in light of King County initial requirements and any state direction, and staff expects to bring permanent regulations forward early in 2026. She also flagged a recently considered Senate bill (referred to in staff remarks as Senate Bill 5283) that, had it advanced, would have changed how cities could condition or prohibit some siting near critical areas; staff said that legislation did not advance this session but could resurface.

No enforcement action or permit decisions for BESS facilities will be accepted while the moratorium remains in effect.