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Ellensburg authorizes a six‑year gas system study amid calls to align work with decarbonization planning
Summary
Council authorized a Kimley‑Horn contract to model natural gas system capacity and six‑year capital needs (2027–2032). Public commenters urged delaying modeling that assumes expansion until the city completes a decarbonization roadmap; staff characterized the study as an engineering 'if‑then' analysis.
The Ellensburg City Council authorized a professional services agreement with Kimley‑Horn to develop a six‑year natural gas system plan for 2027–2032, despite public requests to postpone the contract until the city completes a separate decarbonization policy process.
City gas engineer Darren Jussi told council the study will perform hydraulic modeling, capacity analysis of regulators and stations, overpressure and corrosion checks and will produce a prioritized six‑year capital improvement program. Jussi described the work as a planning tool that models “if‑then” scenarios — identifying what would be required if specific growth or loads materialize — rather than a binding decision to expand service.
Public commenters expressed concern that modeling future growth and constructing expansion cost estimates could create momentum toward future gas infrastructure even if the city later decides on limits or decarbonization measures. Resident Fred Pageant told council it would be “unwise to spend resources” until the city’s decarbonization roadmap is completed, arguing staff lacked a clear policy on natural‑gas expansion. Megan Anderson, another resident commenter, urged the council to table the contract, saying the draft scope was not included in the public packet and that advance modeling can narrow policy choices about system expansion.
Energy Services Director Buddy Stanovich and staff said the study is an engineering assessment customary for utilities on a six‑year cycle and does not itself obligate expansion. Council members debated the balance between practical system planning and the city’s climate goals; some council members said the study is necessary to avoid infrastructure bottlenecks and to inform CIP planning, while urging coordination with the forthcoming decarbonization planning grant work.
The council voted to authorize the contract and budget adjustments, and staff said they will coordinate the study’s assumptions and deliverables with the city’s decarbonization planning work when feasible.
Why it matters: The study will produce capacity and capital recommendations that shape future capital spending and availability of service to new developments. Public comments emphasized that assumptions used in modeling (growth, continued gas demand) matter for long‑term policy choices about fossil‑fuel infrastructure and local climate commitments.
