The Whatcom County Planning and Development Committee held a brief 18-minute meeting to discuss proposed changes to county code that would allow electrical transmission lines up to 230 kilovolts, removing the current 115 kilovolt limit established by voter initiative in 1990. The committee reviewed AB2025-380, which would amend Chapter 20.82 of county code to enable higher-capacity power lines needed for grid modernization and renewable energy transmission. Lucas Clark from Planning and Development Services presented the history of the current voltage restrictions, explaining that Initiative I-90 was passed by voters in 1990 but was technically illegal as initiatives cannot modify zoning ordinances. The current code has been modified several times since then, most significantly in 2004 to add stricter wattage requirements alongside voltage limits. Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has advocated for this change to meet growing electricity demands and comply with the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA), which requires all retail electricity sales to be greenhouse gas neutral by 2030. Whatcom County is currently the only county in PSE's service area that prohibits 230 kilovolt transmission lines, creating a disincentive for new energy investments locally. The proposed ordinance would require all new electrical infrastructure of 115 kilovolts and greater to go through conditional use or major project permit processes, ensuring public notice, hearings, and review by the hearing examiner. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the ordinance, which was scheduled for introduction at the evening council meeting.
Planning and Development Committee
Executive Summary
Key Decisions & Actions
**AB2025-380 - Power Line Voltage Increase:** DISCUSSED (no formal vote) - Item: Discussion of ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Chapter 20.82 to increase allowable power line voltage to 230 kilovolts - Staff Recommendation: Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval - Committee Action: Discussed without formal recommendation (item scheduled for introduction at evening council meeting) - Key Specifics: Would allow 230kV lines through conditional use permits; all new infrastructure 115kV+ would require public hearings - Practical Impact: Enables grid modernization, renewable energy transmission, and positions county to attract energy infrastructure investments
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**Immediate:** AB2025-380 was scheduled for introduction at the evening county council meeting on May 27, 2025. **Process:** Following introduction, the ordinance will likely go through first and second readings before final adoption, with public hearings as part of the standard legislative process. **Implementation:** If adopted, any new 115kV+ electrical infrastructure would be subject to conditional use or major project permit processes, requiring public notice, hearings, and hearing examiner review. **Future Projects:** PSE indicated that specific placement of any 230kV lines would be "subject to a lot further study" and would likely use new infrastructure rather than upgrading existing 115kV poles. **Related Initiatives:** Council Member Galloway mentioned potential geothermal projects near Mount Baker that could benefit from upgraded transmission capacity, though specific voltage requirements for such projects remain unclear.
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