HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2002-018WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL
NO. 2002 - 146
CLEARANCES Dare Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned To
Ong Dept Canny Council
3/512002
V
MAR 5 2002
i�HATC MM COUNTY
COUNCIL
3/12/2002
P &D /Council
Division Head:
Dept. Head.
Prosecutor
3_Z z
Budget:
Executive.
SUBJECT.
Resolution opposing 660 Megawatt Sumas 2 Electrical Generating Facility
ATTACHMENTS
SUMMARYSTATEMENT.
Related County Contract N: Should the Clerk schedule a hearing7(YN) Requested Date
Resolution opposing the location and construction of the 660 megawatt Sumas Energy 2 electrical generating facility as
proposed in Sumps, Washington
RECOMMENDED MOTION (for final action):
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN
2002-146 3112/2002: Item was pulled
3/26/2002: Approved 5 -1 -0, Crawford opposed McShane out
of roam, Res. #2002-018
Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only):
RE5. 2QJ2 - 019
S su RES 306
PROPOSED BY: Fleetwood
SPONSORED BY: Consent
INTRODUCED: 3/26/2001
RESOLUTION NO. 2002 -018
EXPRESSING COUNTY COUNCIL OPPOSITION TO THE LOCATION AND
CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUMAS ENERGY 2 ELECTRICAL GENERATING
FACILITY
WHEREAS, Whatcom County and the Attorney General's State Counsel for the
Environment are both parties in the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council's ( EFSEC)
process for permitting the proposed 660 megawatt electrical generating facility known
as Sumas Energy 2 (SE2); and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County and the State Counsel for the Environment have
previously delivered testimony to EFSEC outlining concerns and objections to the SE2
project; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council is elected to represent the citizens of
Whatcom County and is charged with the broad responsibility of protecting the health,
safety, and general welfare of the public; and
WHEREAS, area residents are deeply concerned that the construction and
operation of the SE2 plant may severely impact their health and quality of life; and
WHEREAS, questions concerning the health impacts resulting from low- frequency
noise for surrounding neighbors have not been determined to the satisfaction of the
council; and
WHEREAS, operation of the plant will require the utilization of significant
quantities of groundwater; and
WHERAS, the quantity of groundwater to be extracted from the surrounding
aquifer may impact present users, particularly in agricultural lands; and
WHEREAS, groundwater quality can be affected by substantial extraction;
and
WHEREAS, flood modeling and potential flood hazard impacts have not been fully
completed or analyzed to date; and
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WHEREAS, seismic
activity in
the
area raises questions about
the economic
feasibility of constructing
the facility
with
adequate safety precautions;
and
WHEREAS, the need for additional energy in
light
of already
permitted and
recently constructed facilities remains questionable;
and
WHEREAS, the unique nature of Whatcom County's relationship with the Province
of British Columbia provides continuous opportunities for promoting the general welfare
of the citizens of both jurisdictions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that in
order to promote and protect the economic, environmental, health, safety, and general
welfare interests of the citizens of Whatcom County, the Council hereby stands opposed
to the location, construction, and operation of the proposed Sumas Energy 2 electrical
generating facility.
APPROVED this 26 day of March , 2002.
/ "ATTE
Dana Brown - Davis, C erk of the CounZil
PROVED AS TO FORM:
Civil uty Prosecutor
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM C 'N /TY, WASHINGTON
N
/L. Ward N Icon, uncil Chair
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