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FSEC posts final transmission programmatic EIS and launches online tools for users
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Summary
FSEC published the final transmission programmatic EIS required by Senate Bill 5,165 and announced an interactive e‑Programmatic site and resource sensitivity GIS tool to help developers and lead agencies assess potential impacts; staff said the tools will be posted in the coming weeks to months and will be accompanied by outreach sessions with
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council staff announced Oct. 15 that the final transmission programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) required by Washington State Senate Bill 5165 has been published and posted on FSEC’s website.
Staff said the programmatic EIS evaluates direct, indirect and cumulative environmental impacts associated with categories of transmission development and is intended to standardize and facilitate project‑level SEPA reviews by helping future lead agencies identify likely impacts and mitigation strategies.
FSEC staff described two digital tools being completed to support the programmatic EIS. The e‑Programmatic is an interactive website that will include checklists, bookmarking and prepared embedded documents to help developers and CEPA lead agencies prepare materials and identify mitigation strategies identified in the programmatic EIS. A resource sensitivity online GIS tool will allow users to input location data for proposed transmission routes and receive mapped sensitivity ratings (levels 1–3) for environmental resources, based on subject‑matter expert input.
Staff noted the programmatic EIS itself does not approve or evaluate project‑specific applications; instead it is a programmatic analysis that can reduce duplication for future project‑level SEPA reviews. FSEC is working with the Washington Technology Solutions/host partner (WATEC) to finalize hosting and functionality and will coordinate outreach sessions with the Department of Ecology to introduce the EIS and tools to industry and county planning departments.
Council members praised the publication and the planned tools. Staff cautioned there is not a firm public availability date for the tools but anticipated they would be online in the coming weeks to a few months; staff said they will provide updates if the timing slips.
FSEC emphasized the programmatic EIS and digital tools are designed to be used during siting and pre‑application planning to identify resource sensitivities and avoid potential impacts before formal project applications are filed.
