FSEC launches programmatic transmission EIS tool, schedules workshops and outlines tribal outreach

Sean Green, CPIS specialist for FSEC, told the council that the programmatic EIS digital interface and a route-analysis tool are now live and accessible from the FSEC website. He described the workshop schedule — an in-person session in Grant County on March 25 and a virtual workshop on April 2 — and said FSEC completed the first of at least three joint workshops with the Department of Ecology.

When asked whether tribal consultation had taken place, Green said tribes were engaged during development and some preferred to provide formal letters in response rather than participate in formal consultation sessions; he said FSEC remains open to further conversations with tribes. Chair Beckett added that FSEC routinely notifies tribes across Washington and will send letters requesting consultation for projects such as the Cascade Renewable Transmission Project.

The tool and scheduled workshops are intended to support county planning staff and other stakeholders as FSEC applies programmatic analysis to specific route and project reviews.