FSEC Council meets March 18; agenda and minutes adopted, multiple project updates given

The FSEC Council convened March 18 with Chair Kurt Beckett presiding and a quorum present.

The council adopted the meeting agenda and approved amended minutes from Feb. 18 after two clerical corrections and a confirmed attendance correction. Chair Beckett introduced Kate Dean of the Department of Natural Resources as a new council member; Dean said it was "an honor to be serving in this role." The council then proceeded through project and agency updates.

Staff and applicants reported on the status of multiple energy projects, including near-term commissioning steps at the Austria (Ostea) Solar project, ongoing judicial review for the Carriger (Karajar) solar application, continued completeness review for the Cascade Renewable Transmission Project and an anticipated CECO process, and evaluation of potential impacts for a proposed Skagit County battery energy storage facility. FSEC staff also announced the programmatic transmission EIS and associated route-analysis tool are live on fsec.wa.gov and scheduled additional public workshops.

Agency updates included the introduction of Gina Young to the contracts and fiscal office and a budget update: the budget bill remained with the governor at the time of the meeting and staff said projected general-fund reductions discussed during session had been reduced. The council received a legislative report that SHB 24 96 (concerning tribal government-to-government consultation) passed the legislature and was awaiting the governor’s signature; staff explained the bill would allow the full council to meet with a tribe at its request without constituting a public meeting if no deliberations or commitments occur.

No final permits, adoptions of site certification agreements, or contested votes on projects were recorded during the meeting. Chair Beckett adjourned the session at 02:22.