Press Release
Community Development Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Clean Energy Siting and Permitting (CESP)

Kittitas County, WA - 11/05/2026 - Kittitas County is evaluating the siting and permitting of solar, wind, battery storage systems (BESS), geothermal, and small modular reactors (SMRs) in the county.

Description of Proposal:
Kittitas County is evaluating the siting and permitting of solar, wind, battery storage systems (BESS), geothermal, and small modular reactors (SMRs) in the county. The CESP project evaluates current Kittitas County Code (KCC) for the selected energy uses, identifies potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures, and reviews suitable locations within the County at a programmatic level. The DEIS assists in the environmental evaluation of potential impacts, mitigation measures, and suitable locations for permitting energy uses. 
Kittitas County currently regulates energy facilities in KCC 17.61 Utilities, KCC 17.61A Wind Farm Overlay Zone, and KCC 17.61C Solar Power Production Facilities. This project may result in updating the permitting requirements in Kittitas County Code, the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan, and/or locations and maps in which these facilities may be permitted as a result of the findings in the EIS.

Location of Proposal: Kittitas County, including all unincorporated urban areas, rural lands, and natural resource lands.

Notice is hereby given that Kittitas County has issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the consideration of clean energy alternatives and the associated updated permitting requirements in the County pursuant to WAC 197-11-455 and RCW 43.21C.030 (2)(c). The DEIS evaluates alternatives for siting and permitting solar, wind, BESS, geothermal, and SMRs for potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures.  

• Alternative 1 is the No Action Alternative, required under SEPA. It assumes that energy development for solar, wind, battery energy storage systems (BESS), geothermal, and small modular reactors (SMR) would occur within Kittitas County based on the current development regulations with no changes.
• Alternative 2 re-evaluates locations suitable and appropriate for utility scale solar and wind along with current permitting procedures. Current overlay locations (KCC 17.61C.030 Solar Power Production Facilities Overlay Map and KCC 17.61A Wind Farm Overlay Zone) may be modified based on findings. Additionally, significant environmental impacts associated with battery energy storage systems (BESS) were assessed to determine suitable and appropriate locations in Kittitas County for BESS facilities. Where deemed appropriate, county permitting processes for utility scale solar, wind, and BESS may be modified to streamline the local permitting pathway and provide clear development standards with known mitigation measures.
• Alternative 3 evaluates locations suitable and appropriate for geothermal energy facilities and small modular reactor facilities. The environmental impacts associated with geothermal energy and small modular reactors were assessed to understand locations in Kittitas County for geothermal energy facilities and small modular reactor facilities. Where deemed appropriate, county permitting processes may be modified to streamline the local permitting pathway and provide clear development standards with known mitigation measures.

The DEIS is available for review at https://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/cds/cesp.aspx and at the Kittitas County Community Development Services, 411 N Ruby Street, Suite 2, Ellensburg WA 98926.  

37-Day Comment Period: Comments will be accepted from November 5th, 2026 through December 11th, 2026. Comments may be submitted by the following means:

Online comments may be submitted via email to cleanenergy@co.kittitas.wa.us with the subject line: “CESP DEIS Comment”

Written Comments may be submitted via mail to the following address: 
Reference: Clean Energy Siting and Permitting DEIS Comment 
To: Kittitas County Community Development Services 
Address: 411 N Ruby Street, Suite 2, Ellensburg WA 98926 
 
Availability of the Draft EIS is available for review at the Kittitas County Community Development Services office located at 411 N Ruby Street, Suite 2, Ellensburg WA 98926. Hard copies are available for purchase at a cost at the Kittitas County Community Development Services Office.

DEIS Open Houses: Two opportunities are available for members of the public to learn more and ask questions about the DEIS.

November 16, 2026, 5:30PM to 7:30PM.
Hal Homes Community Center, 201 N Ruby Street, Ellensburg, WA, 98926.

November 21, 2026, 3:00PM – 5:00PM,
UKC Senior Center, 719 E 3rd St, Cle Elum, WA 98922

The Clean Energy Siting and Permitting CESP-CLEANENERGY25 RFA is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov .
 

Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us

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Contact: cleanenergy@co.kittitas.wa.us