Residents voice opposition to proposed lithium battery storage sites; commissioners note limited local authority

At the Skagit County Board of Commissioners’ weekly public comment period on April 29, residents urged the board to oppose large lithium battery energy storage proposals planned near homes, farms and environmentally sensitive areas, and raised separate concerns about the timing and access for curbside recycling in Lake Cavanaugh.

Several speakers said they learned late or not at all about proposed battery storage sites and raised safety and environmental concerns. Ingrid Hinton, a Mount Vernon resident, described walking the area around a proposed site and said mobile‑home residents and others were unaware of plans. Business owner Nancy Lee of Sedro‑Woolley said local leaders and businesses “have 0 local support” for the project and called the proposal “greenwashing” because of perceived risks to fisheries, agriculture and neighborhoods. Jim Lee, a Cedar‑Woolley business owner, said the proposals were being advanced in ways that felt secretive to residents.

A commissioner on the record said the board has repeatedly opposed the BEST (battery energy storage) project, objecting to locating the facility on agricultural (Ag NRL) land and to plans that could bore under Hansen Creek — a salmon restoration area with prior public investment. The commissioner said the board changed county code to prevent future projects from using the same approach, but noted that the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) and the governor’s review process may govern siting decisions for this project and that those state decisions do not return to the county for appeal. The commissioner said the board’s prior opposition has been formally recorded and that the county’s authority is limited in the current state process.

Separately, Laurita Humble of Lake Cavanaugh urged the county to extend recycling outreach and confirmed the restoration of North Shore Road will allow trucks to circle the lake and improve curbside service once the program rolls out. Humble said some residents did not receive a survey for the curbside recycling pilot and asked that the county ensure surveys reach residents on Lake Kavanaugh Road.

Commissioners thanked citizens for raising concerns, reiterated they have formally opposed the BEST project in prior actions, and noted the state permitting process controls some outcomes. No formal action on the battery project or recycling rollout was taken during the public comment period covered by the transcript.