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Kitsap commissioners extend moratorium on new battery storage applications amid safety, environmental concerns
Summary
The Board voted to extend a county moratorium on new battery energy storage system (BEST) applications 180 days to Dec. 7, 2026, after staff described outstanding safety, siting and environmental questions and residents urged more study and community outreach.
Kitsap County commissioners voted May 11 to extend for 180 days a moratorium on new battery energy storage system (BEST) applications while staff continues analysis of safety, environmental and siting issues.
Planning manager Scott Diener told the board the county adopted an initial moratorium in June 2025 after the Agate BEST application — a proposed roughly 170-megawatt lithium‑ion battery project — raised questions the Department of Community Development (DCD) has not yet resolved. "We have a lot of new information that we're learning, but we're not complete in our analysis of the issues," Diener said, asking the board to extend the moratorium to Dec. 7, 2026.
Diener outlined the work plan: meetings with utilities and national labs, consultations with emergency response experts and a review of code approaches including zone-based allowances or overlays near substations. He said the county needs to clarify life‑safety fire response, health and neighbor impacts during normal operation and emergencies, and decommissioning and site restoration when technology changes.
Public commenters, including residents and technical advocates, urged caution. "These facilities are not going to be conducive to rural residential areas," said Charlie Eli, a Central Kitsap resident, citing the 2025 Moss Landing fires and describing risks from thermal runaway, evacuation constraints and seismic events. David Peterson and others warned about contamination risks if a fire occurs near wetlands and asked the county to limit BEST siting in critical areas.
Commissioners moved and seconded an ordinance to impose a 180‑day extension to the existing moratorium and declared a continued emergency; the motion passed by voice vote. Scott Diener said the extension runs from the moratorium’s June 10 expiration to Dec. 7, 2026, and that staff plans more public outreach as the analysis continues.
The vote does not ban discussion or studies; instead it pauses acceptance of new BEST applications while staff develops permit conditions and zoning approaches. Commissioners and staff emphasized the need for transparent community briefings and coordination with utilities and emergency responders before applications are considered under new code.
