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Commission weighs where to site battery energy storage and which safety codes to require
Summary
The commission discussed tiered siting for battery energy storage systems (BESS), whether to require industrial-zone rezoning or rely on CUPs, and asked staff to reference WAC/ASTM/APLIC/NEC standards and WAC/WAC citations for fire mitigation and design requirements.
Commissioners considered whether the county should require that the highest-intensity battery energy storage systems (Tier 3) be sited in industrial or commercial zones or handled through CUP review. Commissioner Dave Gibney suggested crafting a limited industrial renewable energy storage zone to allow more precise, site‑specific standards; others preferred relying on the CUP process with technical standards attached.
Members pressed staff to reference state and national safety standards in the ordinance. Dean noted a comprehensive WAC/technical code covering energy storage build and fire mitigation; Rachel Granrath agreed to add citations and the commission asked that staff incorporate WAC/ASTM/NEC/APLIC references and descriptive design language so CUP reviewers have explicit safety criteria to enforce.
