BDA Rallies to Support Energize Eastside Permitting

The Bellevue Downtown Association (BDA) is actively supporting Puget Sound Energy's permit applications for the Energize Eastside transmission upgrades, following a unanimous vote by its Board of Directors. This initiative is crucial for improving the aging transmission infrastructure serving the Bellevue area, which has been identified as vulnerable to potential rolling blackouts. The public hearing on March 28, 2019, will provide an opportunity for community members to express their views, and the BDA will submit a letter of support at that time. The City of Bellevue's staff report, released in January, advocates for the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and Critical Areas Land Use Permit (CALUP), with specific recommendations to mitigate environmental impacts. Studies show that the region's electricity system has been at risk of outages, increasing by 2.

4% annually, which jeopardizes economic stability. The BDA emphasizes that the project is vital to accommodate population growth and enhance the quality of life on the Eastside. Local resources and official reports have cited the urgency to update the system to ensure reliable electricity for the community. Engaging with the community through public comments and hearings is a vital part of this process.