Planning and Development Services

Project Overview

The purpose of the Skagit County Clean Energy Siting and Permitting project is to adopt clean energy regulations in unincorporated Skagit County by May 2027. Due to the unprecedented growth in energy demand across Washington State, along with new state mandates requiring that future energy projects be clean-energy based, Skagit County is receiving a rising number of inquiries and applications for new energy developments.

The Washington State Department of Commerce has developed grant opportunities to support the planning of clean energy projects across the state. Skagit County received a Clean Energy Siting and Permitting (CESP) grant to develop local clean energy development regulations and prepare a programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This EIS will evaluate where different types of clean energy projects can be appropriately sited, as well as assess their potential impacts and identify appropriate mitigation measures. Skagit County has identified the following goals for the project:

• Retain local control over clean energy permitting where possible;
• Establish clear and consistent standards for project proponents and the public, and;
• Ensure that future clean energy development considers community values, environmental impacts, and mitigation strategies informed by public and Tribal input.

Which Clean Energy Types will be Evaluated?

The energy uses being studied include:

• Solar Energy. Small-scale solar facilities can include distributed solar facilities, behind the meter solar facilities, and rooftop solar systems. These facilities absorb energy from the sun. Photovoltaic (PV) solar systems consist of absorbing solar panels, while older technologies include concentrating or reflecting solar energy. Small-scale solar facilities differ from large scale PV systems by both the scale of the energy generated and where the energy generated may go. Land availability in Skagit County for Solar Energy may be limited, especially since conversion of Agricultural Natural Resource Lands is prohibited. Alternatively, Solar Energy can come in the form of Distributed Energy Resources (DER), which involve rooftop solar panels and batteries on existing development, which does not result in the conversion of Natural Resource Lands. DERs offer opportunity for utilities and energy users to work together and innovate to help meet rising energy demand.
• Battery Energy Storage. Some energy facilities, such as solar and wind, cannot generate electricity constantly. Additionally, electrical grids do not always need energy at the same time the renewable or intermittent energy is generated. Battery energy storage facilities can include battery energy storage systems (BESS) and battery storage block systems. Battery storage facilities are a technology which can store energy for later use. These facilities can be implemented on a large scale for utility purposes or on a smaller scale for residential and commercial use.
• Small Modular Reactors. Small nuclear facilities can include Small Modular Reactor (SMR) facilities and other advanced nuclear reactors. Nuclear facilities that produce energy through nuclear fission must go through EFSEC permitting, regardless of facility size. Skagit County can create a permitting process for nuclear facilities that produce energy through nuclear fusion. SMR facilities are smaller than conventional nuclear power facilities and are modular, meaning they can be factory assembled and transported for installation. Microreactors have even smaller footprints than SMRs and can serve as a backup power supply in emergency situations or replace power generators that are often fueled by diesel, for example, in rural communities or remote businesses.
• Renewable Fuels. Renewable fuels are defined as fuel produced using renewable resources and includes renewable hydrogen. Renewable fuels also include fuels that use resources from sources such as renewable natural gas, renewable hydrogen, biodiesel fuel that is not derived from crops raised on land cleared from old growth or first growth forests, or biomass energy.

Project Process and Schedule

The CESP Project is expected to take place over several phases beginning in Spring 2026 and extending to May 2027. Key milestones include, an EIS scoping period with public comment opportunities, preparation and release of a Draft EIS, issuance of a Final EIS, and development and adoption of clean energy siting and permitting code amendments. Engagement activities, coordination with agencies and Tribal governments, and updates to the Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners will occur throughout the project. A high-level schedule will be maintained on this website and updated as the project progresses.

Project Steps and Timeline

How to Get Involved

Throughout the project there will be opportunities to follow progress on the project website, opportunities to submit public comment or provide public testimony, and attend  project open houses scheduled for June and Fall 2026. The project website will be updated as meetings and other opportunities for engagement are scheduled.

Below are the upcoming opportunities for engagement:

Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Scoping Comment Period

Skagit County has determined that this proposal is likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is required under RCW 43.21C.030 (2)(c). The EIS is a technical document that will evaluate the potential significant environmental impacts of the energy uses being considered by Skagit County. 

Request for Comments on Scope of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 

On May 14^th, 2026, Skagit County issued a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Determination of Significance (DS) and Request for Comments on Scope of EIS. The purpose of scoping is to narrow the focus of the EIS to significant environmental issues, to eliminate insignificant impacts from detailed study, and to identify alternatives to be analyzed in the EIS.

The 30-day comment period is from May 14, 2026 to June 16, 2026. Written comments on the EIS can be submitted anytime prior to 4:30pm on June 16th, 2026. Comments may be submitted by the following means: 

Online Comments may be submitted via email to pdscomments@co.skagit.wa.us with the subject line: "Energy Siting and Permitting EIS Scoping Comment"

Written Comments may be submitted via mail to the following address:

Reference:	Energy Siting and Permitting EIS Scoping Comment
To:	Planning and Development Services
Address:	1800 Continental Place Mount Vernon WA 98273

For details on the scoping focus areas and the two EIS alternatives, please refer to the Determination of Significance (DS) and Request for Comments on the Scope of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) by clicking the link below.

• Determination of Significance (DS) and Request for Comments on Scope of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
• Determination of Significance (DS) and Request for Comments on Scope of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) En español
• DS Scoping Fact Sheet

EIS Scoping Open Houses

The scoping meeting open houses are a resource for the public to learn about the project and help identify key issues, potential impacts, alternatives to study, and community concerns before the project begins. Attendees may submit scoping comments forms during the open house or mail the forms in to 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 by June 16, 2026.

Below are the location and times of the open houses.

Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioner Meetings

Clean Energy Advisory Group

As part of this project Skagit County is convening a Clean Energy Advisory Group. The purpose of the Clean Energy Advisory Group is to provide policy guidance to Planning and Development Services staff in drafting a recommended Clean Energy Code. Code amendments will include siting criteria and create a more efficient permitting process for clean-energy projects. The effort will assess impacts, mitigation, identify suitable areas for development, and result in predictable permitting for the community and clean energy developers alike.

Skagit County Planning and Development Services is accepting applications for six open seats on the Clean Energy Advisory Group. Three seats are open to any Skagit County resident and three seats are open for three different non-profit groups representing the following interests: environment, vulnerable communities, and land use. For more information, please click the link below:

https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/PlanningAndPermit/applicants.htm  

Frequently Asked Questions

To see answers to Frequently Asked Questions, please see the linked document below:

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact the Department
Robby Eckroth, AICP
Senior Planner, Planning and Development Services
1800 Continental Place
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Email: reckroth@co.skagit.wa.us
Phone: (360) 416-1328