Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council adopts agenda, hears strategic plan and staffing updates

The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council adopted its amended agenda and approved the April 18, 2026 minutes during a May 20 meeting chaired by Kurt Beckett.

Interim Director Dave Walker said the agency is finalizing a 2026–2028 strategic plan and expects to put a one-page public summary online; "we have draft finals right now" and the goal remains to have the plan operational on July 1, Walker said. He also described ongoing process mapping work intended to clarify the siting and review steps for applicants and the public.

Walker told the council that second-round interviews for the executive director search were underway and that staff anticipate an in-office start no later than July 1, subject to the outcome of subsequent rounds. "At this point I'm anticipating having a new executive director on board no later than July 1st," he said.

Council members discussed adding short, targeted briefings near the end of future meetings to improve context on recurring or complex energy topics; suggested subjects included battery storage safety, solar-panel takeback programs, demand forecasting and Ecology's clean energy permitting pathway. Council member Kate Dean, a recent appointee, said extra briefings help new members come up to speed: "I just think context is really important in these really complex situations," she said.

Chair Beckett asked staff to be mindful of agenda length and staff workload when scheduling briefings; members favored flexible, occasional briefings rather than a permanent additional agenda block. The council adjourned at 2:26 p.m.