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Staff warns committee not to comment on Cascade Renewal Transmission, energy storage because of active litigation
Summary
The committee discussed a request to oppose a proposed pump energy storage facility; staff said the project is in active litigation and permitting involves multiple agencies, advising the commission not to take a public position while offering to circulate a one-page permitting summary.
Commissioner Alex Johnson raised a request from Commissioner Pitt to consider a statement opposing the proposed "push pump energy storage" facility. Christina, the commission staff member, told the committee the matter involves ongoing litigation and complex permitting across agencies and therefore the commission should not publicly comment.
Christina said: "They are in litigation right now and so we can't really be commenting on it or taking a position on it." She explained that permitting in the National Scenic Area would be handled via a memorandum of understanding with Skamania County and FSEC (energy facility siting), and that appeals could return the matter to the Gorge Commission, creating a conflict with making a public position now.
Commissioners asked Christina to circulate a one-page memo summarizing the permitting context and FSEC's information so the committee can be informed without taking a public position while litigation is active. The committee accepted the staff recommendation and asked for a staff follow-up on the permitting background.
