CENSE.org

01/28/2022

Public testimony begins today in the Energize Eastside public hearing on Zoom. Your testimony, no matter how brief, is crucial because this hearing is our best chance to stop Energize Eastside.

Connect to the Zoom meeting today or Monday to voice your opinion. Video will not be used, only your voice will be heard. Even a 10 second statement is helpful!

Full details and talking points at CENSE.org/newcastle.

The City of Newcastle is hosting a multi-day public hearing in January to decide whether to permit the Newcastle segment of the Energize Eastside Project. Regardless of your city of residence, it is critical that you speak at the hearing or submit comments to the hearing examiner. This hearing will....

01/10/2022

The Newcastle Hearing has started. ** Your voice is needed! ** Public testimony is crucial because this hearing is our best chance of stopping Energize Eastside. You can speak at the hearing and/or submit written comments.

>> ZOOM IN on Friday the 14th (9:00AM) to hear CENSE testify against the project.

>> YOUR opportunity to make a 3-minute statement will begin Friday January 28th. CENSE asks you to be courageous and read your statement objecting to the project at the hearing. Your image will not be projected.

For more details, go to CENSE.org/newcastle.

The City of Newcastle will hold a multi-day public hearing in January to decide whether to permit the Newcastle segment of the Energize Eastside Project. Regardless of your city of residence, it is critical that you speak at the hearing or submit comments to the hearing examiner. This hearing will b...

12/20/2021

Please speak out at the Public Hearing in January!
CENSE is encouraging all residents who have concerns about Energize Eastside to make a short comment at the public Zoom hearing for the Newcastle Segment of the project. Public comments will be heard on January 28th and 31st, with an evening session on the 28th.

This hearing is critical because without the Newcastle permit, PSE cannot build the southern portion of Energize Eastside. Even if you do not live in Newcastle, you are encouraged to speak out about the project. If you are unable to speak at the hearing, please submit written comments to the hearing examiner.

Lots of details and suggestions here:
https://cense.org/newcastle-hearing-comments/

10/05/2021

Voice YOUR opinion at the Newcastle Public Hearing on Energize Eastside

The City of Newcastle will hold a public hearing soon (date TBD) to decide whether to permit the Newcastle segment of the Energize Eastside Project. The project would replace the existing 60-foot tall wooden poles and 115kV powerlines in the Newcastle utility corridor with 90-100 foot-tall steel poles and 230kV powerlines. PSE claims the project is needed to meet forecasted peaks in electrical demand, but provides no historical peak-demand data to prove any increasing trend on the Eastside.

Details about how to get involved are here:
https://cense.org/newcastle

07/27/2021

A debate is brewing over the future of energy delivery in the U.S.: Should we be investing in new transmission lines, or localized “Virtual Power Plants” using solar cells, batteries, and demand response techniques?

This New York Times article (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/11/business/energy-environment/biden-climate-transmission-lines.html) explains how energy companies are pushing for more transmission lines. Transmission lines are familiar to them and known to be lucrative revenue generators. However, many energy experts say Virtual Power Plants would provide better reliability and resilience, for less cost and less environmental impact.

If you don’t have access to the New York Times, you can read or listen to this interview with the author of the article: https://www.npr.org/2021/07/15/1016418278/us-faces-crossroads-on-renewable-energy-future-go-big-or-go-local

The president and energy companies want new transmission lines to carry electricity from solar and wind farms. Some environmentalists and homeowners are pushing for smaller, more local systems.

07/20/2021

CENSE's rebuttal to PSE's "CURE" letter was published in the Sunday Seattle Times. Read it here:

Re: “Heat waves: Support Energize Eastside project” : Communities United for Reliable Energy (CURE) claims the recent heat wave demonstrates the need for Energize Eastside, an expensive transmission upgrade. Coalition of Eastside Neighborhoods for Sensible Energy (CENSE),...

07/01/2021

Eastside Power Grid Stress-Tested! -- As temperatures surpassed 110 degrees in many Eastside locations on Monday, the electric grid faced an unprecedented challenge. Demand for electricity was almost 10% higher than the previous summer record set in 2017. Dozens of power outages sometimes impacted more than 10,000 customers at a time. PSE’s hardworking crews fixed problems almost as fast as they occurred, and we appreciate their efforts. However, Energize Eastside would NOT have prevented these outages. For more, read our latest newsletter:

Trial by fireAs temperatures surpassed 110 degrees in many Eastside locations on Monday, June 28, 2021, the electric grid faced an unprecedented challenge. Demand for electricity was almost 10% higher than the previous summer record set in 2017. Dozens of power outages sometimes impacted more than 1...

06/01/2021

Read CENSE’s detailed report prepared for the EBCC at cense.org/Bellevue.

It includes surprising facts about:
- Lack of need for the project (substantiated by PSE’s own data)
- PSE’s overtly political campaign to earn its approval
- How PSE’s poor financial performance may motivate the project

06/01/2021

Reminder: EBCC hearing is tomorrow night (Tue, June 1st) at 6:30 PM. Use this link to join the meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/91085662473
Enter passcode 397373 when prompted

If you would like to speak to the Council for up to 3 minutes about the project, you can sign up any time before 5:30 pm on June 1 on the EBCC Speaker Registration page:
https://bellevuewa.gov/ebcc-public-hearing

If you would like a text notification when discussion about Energize Eastside is ready to start, send your phone number to [email protected]. The text could come late, depending on the number of speakers.

See https://cense.org/northsegment/ for more information on this hearing and the Energize Eastside approval process.

Thanks!

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

05/19/2021

PSE has applied for permits to build the north segment of the transmission line project, Energize Eastside. Please read on, and sign our petition at cense.org/petition!

PSE’s efforts to build the South Segment of the proposed transmission line have temporarily stalled in Newcastle. Undeterred, PSE has now submitted a permit application to build the North Segment of the project through central and north Bellevue and Redmond, impacting residential neighborhoods including Lake Hills, Wilburton, and Bridle Trails.

A public hearing will be held for the East Bellevue Community Council on June 1. We will soon send information about how you can view this online hearing. If you would consider testifying at the hearing, CENSE can provide great facts and talking points to increase the impact of your testimony. Contact us at [email protected].

If you live in the Lake Hills neighborhood, please sign our petition to the East Bellevue Community Council: cense.org/petition. Please share the link with your Lake Hills friends and neighbors!

Help us defend your neighborhood from PSE’s unnecessary, dangerous, and damaging boondoggle with a donation at CENSE.org.

08/12/2020

This Friday (8/14), in King County Superior Court, CENSE will challenge Bellevue's approval of Energize Eastside

Starting at 9:00 am Friday morning (8/14), King County Superior Court judge Melinda Young will consider arguments by CENSE, PSE, and the City of Bellevue. CENSE is appealing Bellevue's decision to permit the South Segment of PSE's Energize Eastside transmission line upgrade through mostly residential neighborhoods in Bellevue, Newcastle, and Renton. It is a vastly oversized and antiquated solution to the Eastside's future energy needs.

You can listen to the hearing via Zoom or by phone:
- Zoom: kingcounty.zoom.us/j/94202129347, password 307095
- Phone: 253-215-8782, password 307095

CENSE attorney Rick Aramburu will present four arguments:

1) PSE withheld Eastside electric demand data that would prove or disprove the need for the project.

2) PSE divided one functional project into two separate permit applications in Bellevue.

3) The South Segment operating without the North Segment was never shown to comply with Bellevue's permitting criteria.

4) The South Segment was proposed after the EIS for Energize Eastside was complete. If the North Segment of the project is not built, the South Segment would not accomplish the goals of the project, but the environment would be harmed.

CENSE will publish the judge's decision as soon as it is available.

Watch this page or sign up for our newsletter at cense.org

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

05/21/2020

CENSE Update May 20th:

CENSE heads to Superior Court

Late last year, the City of Bellevue approved a land use permit that would allow PSE to construct "Energize Eastside," a major upgrade to high-voltage transmission lines that run through dozens of Eastside neighborhoods. CENSE appealed the decision to King County Superior Court. A preliminary hearing will be held this Friday, May 22, at 9:00 am. The public can listen to the hearing by phone (see details below). A full hearing will be held in August.

Our attorney has prepared a very clear and compelling brief that raises three objections:

1) In violation of Bellevue's land use code, PSE withheld evidence showing actual demand for electricity on the Eastside. In other reports and venues, PSE admits that demand has been declining across its service territory due to advancing technology and conservation efforts.

2) PSE illegally divided the project into two separate permit applications, hoping to divide and conquer previously united opposition in Bellevue.

3) The EIS for the project is incomplete, because it did not evaluate the environmental impacts of the specific project being permitted. There was no assessment of the impacts of alternatives that could serve the needs of the smaller project.

If you would like to read our briefs and PSE's, you can view or download them on this page:
https://cense.org/news/cense-superior-court-legal-briefs/

Hearing Details: The hearing will begin at 9:00 AM on Friday, May 22. If you would like to listen in, just call (206) 263-8114 and enter the conference ID 2594795 # when prompted.

-- Financial update --

Like many non-profits, CENSE is facing financial challenges due to the economic impact of the virus. Donations have declined while expenditures have risen to prepare for the court case and a future land use hearing in Newcastle. Our dedicated board members have temporarily filled the funding gap. We would be grateful if you can help us with a donation of any size at https://cense.org/donate/

After six long years, we see the light at the end of the tunnel. Help us achieve a successful conclusion for our community, our environment, and future generations.