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Council adopts one‑year moratorium on commercial battery energy storage permits
Summary
Puyallup adopted a one‑year moratorium on new commercial and utility‑scale battery energy storage systems permits to allow staff time to study safety, siting and code updates; staff will hold a public hearing within 60 days and return with recommendations before the moratorium expires.
The Puyallup City Council voted to adopt a temporary one‑year moratorium on new commercial and utility‑scale battery energy storage system (BESS) permit applications.
Courtney Brunell, director of Development and Permitting Services, told the council that although battery storage can improve grid reliability and support renewables, the technology is new to municipal code and communities are still developing best practices for siting and safety. "Tonight staff is recommending a temporary moratorium because battery energy storage systems are not specifically addressed in our municipal code," Brunell said.
Council members cited recent local incidents and safety concerns as reasons to pause new permit processing while staff researches standards. A council member recounted a battery fire at a local junior high. The council moved, seconded and voted to adopt the moratorium; a roll call recorded affirmative votes from council members present.
Under the adopted moratorium, staff will not accept or process new commercial or utility‑scale BESS permit applications for one year, will hold a public hearing within 60 days and will return with proposed code updates and recommendations intended to be completed before the moratorium expires.
