Low-Carbon Energy Project Siting Improvement Study Needs Your Input

The Washington Department of Ecology along with the Washington State Department of Commerce are seeking input from your port on ways to improve the siting process of low-carbon and clean energy projects in Washington during two public forums that will be held virtually on May 26th and June 16th. The study, launched in 2021 has participation from two port executive directors, Diahann Howard, Port of Benton and Gary Nelson, Port of Grays Harbor. Both ports have been leaders in developing clean energy but also understand the challenges projects have faced. Nelson hopes this process will result in providing project sponsors with certainty in the permitting process and address permitting “black holes.” Black holes are delays resulting from long public comment periods and appeals processes which force sponsors to terminate projects long before legal action would provide resolution to permitting challenges. “We must be diligent, but also work at the speed of business, says Howard. “If we ever hope to meet the requirements of the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) we must bring reforms to permitting, plan for industrial project siting for all clean energy options and ensure that mapping and data are both peer-reviewed and science-based.” Both Nelson and Howard, who have participated in monthly meetings for nearly a year discussed the case studies they have shared with the study team as well as the conversations discussing land use decision making and how to appropriately assess risk levels for a variety of project types.

It's your turn to become involved. Public meetings are scheduled for May 26th and June 16th where you can weigh in on the process.

https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsc-2oqT0qHvq-2x4fHGlkw-lBRtn5pUs

https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscOqqqjsiHpM-ZtB7O7QoCuio5HBrLGo

What ports need to knowWashington PortsMay 25, 2022Comment