County OKs moratorium for energy projects on farmland

The Board of Skagit County Commissioners adopted an interim ordinance Sept. 23 imposing a moratorium on the acceptance of permits for electrical energy generation or storage facilities on Skagit farmland. The moratorium is for six months and may be extended.

The Skagit County Planning Commission is considering a new ordinance for electrical energy generation and storage facilities on lands zoned Ag-NRL (natural resource land). County commissioners are concerned that the prospect of new regulation could cause a rush of new permit applications.

“We fully understand the importance of a stable energy supply, but Skagit farmland is irreplaceable,” said Commissioner Lisa Janicki.

In August, the county commissioners issued a statement on the Goldeneye battery energy storage system project east of Sedro-Woolley. It read:

“After careful consideration of the application materials provided by Goldfinch Energy Storage and comments from the community, we must oppose the Goldeneye BESS project, proposed at a location in unincorporated Skagit County just east of Sedro-Woolley. The energy storage system threatens decades of collaborative local-tribal work and many millions of public dollars spent to restore Hansen Creek, home to four species of Pacific salmon, steelhead trout, and other wildlife. The Goldeneye BESS proposal would also convert Skagit farmland for industrial development, undermining our community’s long-term protection of Skagit Valley’s farmland and farming economy. Goldfinch Energy Storage has failed to adequately explore alternative sites for this project, instead proposing a location in a sensitive natural resource area for both agriculture and salmon, including Endangered Species Act-listed chinook. We strongly encourage the Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council to reject this proposal. It is contrary to Skagit County’s Comprehensive Plan, adopted County code, and our community’s intergenerational commitment to protect the Skagit’s floodplain for farming and fisheries.”

The county held a hearing on the moratorium on Oct. 21.

Source: Skagit County