Snoqualmie council unanimously directs city to send letter raising safety and siting concerns about proposed Cascadia Ridge battery project

The Snoqualmie City Council unanimously voted April 29 to issue a letter to King County and Puget Sound Energy raising community concerns about the proposed Cascadia Ridge resiliency battery energy storage system planned in unincorporated King County adjacent to Snoqualmie.

Council Member Joe Johnson moved to issue the letter and Council Member Lewis Washington seconded; the council approved the motion after adopting an amendment permitting city administration to adjust the letter’s addressee as appropriate. The mayor and council instructed staff to circulate the letter for signatures and to post the letter and related materials on the city’s project webpage, with staff aiming to issue the letter on April 30, 2026.

The letter, which Council Member Washington read into the record, summarized resident input and singled out safety and siting issues. "Residents have expressed concerns regarding safety including potential for fire risk, the release of hazardous gases and toxic runoff from water deployed during fire response and the availability of adequate evacuation routes and emergency response capabilities in the Snoqualmie Valley," Washington read. The letter also raised proximity to residential areas and public facilities such as schools and parks, potential impacts to habitat and natural resources, noise, traffic and visual impacts, and the cumulative effects of the facility in the surrounding area.

The letter requests that King County consider alternative locations within the Puget Sound Energy transmission and distribution system that provide greater separation from residences and sensitive uses. It says the city will review the applicant’s project submissions and provide comments during King County’s permitting and environmental review process.

Staff told the council they had received a message from the project manager at Jupiter Power saying the developer had posted a response on its FAQ page; by the time of the meeting staff said they could not find that posting. The staff update prompted members to ask that the city web page be kept current as filings and responses arrive, and several council members requested a clear, visual timeline (a color-coded or Gantt-style chart) and a separate column on the page indicating how residents can participate at each stage.

Council members emphasized that resident input has been substantial and helpful. "We take your comments, your input very seriously," Council Member Robert Watton said, thanking residents for engaging and urging continued participation. Council Member Katherine Cotton commended residents’ research and encouraged continuing submissions of emails and letters.

The council did not take land-use action beyond issuing the letter; the vote was a formal direction to staff to send the letter and to continue monitoring the King County permit filing. The special meeting adjourned after the council completed the agenda.