Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy Storage Moratorium topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Auburn extends moratorium on energy-storage facility permits for six months
Summary
The Auburn City Council on Nov. 3 approved Ordinance 6995 to extend an existing moratorium on permitting energy storage system facilities for six months to allow staff time to develop siting, construction and operational standards. The item had been briefed previously; one resident spoke during the public hearing urging caution.
Auburn City Council on Monday approved Ordinance 6995, extending by six months the moratorium on acceptance, processing and approval of building and land-use applications for energy storage system facilities in any city zone.
Council member Tracy Taylor moved to approve the ordinance and Council member Clinton Taylor seconded; the council passed the ordinance by voice vote. The moratorium continues regulations enacted May 10, 2025, under Ordinance 6978, as amended.
City staff did not present the item at the meeting; Director Krum told council staff had briefed the council at an Oct. 13 study session and there was no formal presentation on Nov. 3. During the public hearing, resident Virginia Haugen of Auburn urged the council to "understand the seriousness" of the matter and cautioned careful consideration of moratoriums based on her past experience.
Council member Tracy Taylor said the extension "will allow staff additional opportunity to develop appropriate siting, construction, and operational requirements" for energy storage systems. No technical findings or numeric thresholds were presented during the meeting.
The ordinance continues a temporary pause on permitting while staff prepares policy recommendations; the transcript records a voice vote but does not record a roll-call tally. The council did not set an effective date in the meeting discussion beyond the description that it provides a six-month extension.
