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Snoqualmie Energy Storage will bring numerous benefits to King County, such as economic growth, new jobs, and land preservation.

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About the Project

Wolf Creek Energy Storage is a 199MWac Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project being developed and planned in Leavenworth County. Wolf Creek Energy Storage is a resilient, clean and cost-effective solution to an increasing demand for reliable domestic energy. Wolf Creek Energy Storage has the potential to deliver significant investment in Leavenworth County and provide long-term benefits, including new local jobs, increased tax revenue to support essential services, community benefits, and enhanced energy reliability, creating a lasting positive impact for future generations.


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Project OverviewAccelergen OverviewEnergy Storage FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What will the project look like from nearby roads and properties?

The location of the proposed Wolf Creek Energy Storage was thoughtfully selected to minimize visual impacts. Any neighboring properties will be visually shielded from the project by a combination of setbacks, visual barriers, natural features and native vegetation to maintain existing viewsheds. As part of the design process, the Project is completing a series of visual simulations to further inform the site layout and visual mitigation plans.

What Impacts Do Solar Projects Have On The Local Area?

Energy storage is generally very low impact, and Birdseye Energy Storage is not expected to have any significant impacts on local residents, the environment, or cultural resources. On the plus side, adding energy storage to the electrical grid makes it more resilient and reliable, and can help facilitate the integration of zero-carbon resources like wind and solar.

Will the project be noisy?

Battery projects like the proposed Wolf Creek Energy Storage do not increase sound levels on neighboring properties. To ensure this result, sophisticated acoustics modeling is being used to inform the site layout. Some temporary construction noise is expected but will only occur during daytime hours and will follow local noise rules.

Will there be bright lights at night?

Battery projects like the proposed Wolf Creek Energy Storage do not cause light pollution or otherwise impact dark skies. A limited amount of security lighting near the substation will be shielded, directed downward and only used during a very limited amount of maintenance activities. 

What are the local benefits of the project?

Battery projects like the proposed Wolf Creek Energy Storage will decrease the burden of annual energy price increases on local families and businesses, create and support local jobs, generate new tax revenue for schools and essential services, and support local nonprofits through a community giving program. Below is an estimated summary of what responsible projects like Wolf Creek Energy Storage can offer:

·  $2.3 million in annual energy production costs savings
·  Minimum of $18 million in new tax revenue
·  Support 40 local jobs and $4 million in local earnings
·  Provide $30,000 in annual scholarships, preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow

Wolf Creek Energy Storage is an investment that lasts for generations to come. To learn more about project benefits, visit the Benefits page.

Is the power being sold locally?

The buyer of the power stored from the Project has not been confirmed. However, the location where the power will enter the grid has been confirmed. The project is interconnecting into a substation owned by the regional utility company. The project location was chosen to ensure it benefits local families and businesses - regardless of the actual power trade on the market.

What happens at the end of the project’s life?

Decommissioning will be initiated if the entire Project has not operated for a period of up to three years, or when the Project has surpassed its useful lifespan. To ensure this commitment, the Project will obtain, for the benefit of Leavenworth County, a bond from a creditworthy entity in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the estimated net costs to comply with applicable decommissioning and restoration requirements.

What are the local benefits of the project?

Solar and battery projects like the proposed East Side Energy Storage will assist in lowering the cost of energy for local families and businesses, create and support local jobs, generate new tax revenue for schools and essential services, and support local nonprofits through a community giving program. 

East Side Energy Storage is an investment that lasts for generations to come. To learn more about project benefits, visit the Benefits page.

Is the power being sold locally?

The buyer of the power stored from the Project has not been confirmed. The project location was chosen to ensure it benefits local families and businesses - regardless of the actual power trade on the market. 

What happens at the end of the project’s life?

Decommissioning will be initiated if the entire Project has not operated for a period of up to three years, or when the Project has surpassed its useful lifespan. To ensure this commitment, the Project will obtain, for the benefit of Wyandotte County, a bond from a creditworthy entity in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the estimated net costs to comply with applicable decommissioning and restoration requirements.

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Battery Energy Storage 101

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Energy
Storage FAQ

Battery Energy Storage Systems allow for the storage of energy so it can be discharged on an as-needed basis. Battery Energy Storage Systems provide many important functions, such as:

Providing power during emergencies and extreme weather events preventing blackouts

Lowering costs by storing energy when the price of electricity is low and discharging it back onto the grid during peak demand

Creating a more reliable grid by instantaneously balancing the power supply with demand

Providing an alternative to wired electrical systems, reducing the need for costly grid upgrades

Diversifies the United States energy portfolio increasing the resiliency of our domestic energy supply

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Recycling and Decommissioning

The Snoqualmie Energy Storage project will follow proper decommissioning protocol and ensure good land and materials stewardship. Many materials within BESS are recyclable, and the recycling of these materials can reduce the overall cost of the system when taken into consideration through a decommissioning plan. Lithium-ion batteries, the most common type of battery used in BESS, can be recycled, which reduces production costs for future lithium-ion batteries. Snoqualmie Energy Storage’s commitment to proper decommissioning and recycling will not only help ensure the project’s success but will also contribute to a healthier environment.

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Land Preservation

Birdseye Energy Storage is deeply committed to land preservation and protecting the natural legacy of Thornton and Adams County, CO. The project will collaborate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to safeguard wetlands, riparian corridors, and habitats for vulnerable species, ensuring these critical ecosystems remain intact for future generations.

Partnering with the City of Thornton Planning Commission, Adams County Board of County Commissioners, and local environmental organizations, Birdseye Energy Storage will prioritize sustainable land use practices and integrate strategies to protect the region’s natural heritage. By addressing residential concerns, including maintaining green spaces, mitigating visual and noise impacts, and preserving ecological integrity, the project reflects a shared commitment to the community’s environmental values.

Through a focus on land stewardship and long-term sustainability, Birdseye Energy Storage seeks to honor Adams County's environmental and cultural legacy while advancing renewable energy solutions that benefit current and future residents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What impacts will the project have on the local area?

Energy storage is generally very low impact, and Snoqualmie Energy Storage is  not  expected  to  have  any significant  impacts  on  local  residents,  the environment, or cultural resources. On the plus side, adding energy storage to  the  electrical grid  makes  it  more  resilient and  reliable,  and can  help facilitate the integration of zero-carbon resources like wind and solar.

How does the local community benefit from a solar project?

Solar energy projects bring economic and financial benefits to the local community in the form of jobs, property taxes, payments in lieu of taxes, local permitting and siting fees, and more. The additional revenue is typically used to help support schools, infrastructure and vital services. Accelergen is also interested in learning how it could support the community with specific needs (eg, new broadband services, parks, etc).

Does a solar project impact the health of residents, children, and the environment?

Solar energy projects do not emit any air particulates or contaminants, require no underground storage or water to operate, and do not discharge any biproducts into the local water well. Solar energy enables a safer environment to raise our families while meeting the growing demand for affordable electricity.

Will the project raise my electric bill?

No, Snoqualmie Energy Storage should not cause your electricity bill to go up. Battery storage helps keep
electricity prices stable and affordable. By storing energy during times of over-supply and releasing it
during peak demand periods, battery storage can smooth out fluctuations in electricity prices and help
stabilize costs for consumers.

How does energy storage help fight climate change?

Energy storage allows us to store excess renewable energy, like wind and solar, and discharge it when demand is high, smoothing out fluctuations and making renewable energy more reliable. Traditionally these services have been provided by fossil fuel power plants. By storing renewable energy, we can rely less on fossil fuel power plants to meet peak demand, leading to fewer carbon emissions. Energy storage can also help make the grid more efficient and help reduce energy consumption

How will the project demonstrate sensitivity to the local community & culture?

We are committed to working closely with the Snoqualmie Tribe to ensure that their cultural and
environmental heritage is respected and preserved. This includes respecting ancestral lands and working
in partnership with the Tribe to ensure the project aligns with its priorities. We are conducting formal consultations with the Snoqualmie Tribe and use the free, prior and informed consent  (FPIC)  model  to  integrate  their  feedback  and  tribal  priorities  into  development  decisions, particularly on environmental and cultural impacts.

Where are the solar panels made?

For the first time in decades, the solar supply chain is coming home,  positioning  the  United  States  to  lead  the  global  clean  energy future. Since  2022,  there have been  51  announcements  for  new  or  expanded  solar  manufacturing  facilities  to  drive  in manufacturing jobs. The transformational buildout of the domestic solar supply chain will help the United States gain greater control of its energy resources and reduce dependence on foreign imports.

Do solar panels contain toxic components that harm humans?

The majority of solar modules are silicon based. Silicon is the second most abundant element on earth (primarily found in the form of quartz sand) and non-toxic in all its natural forms. They are are  designed  and  manufactured  to withstand harsh environmental conditions and extreme weather events. These hardened structures protect the solar cells from the elements and support plans to keep the facilities operating for 35+ years; therefore, the panels pose little risk of leaching during operation or during removal and disposal. In order to operate, the internal components of modules must be protected from the elements, particularly moisture, in order to prevent corrosion and the release of materials.

Can renewable energy produce the same amount of power as fossil fuels?

Yes! Large-scale fossil-fuel fired plants typically range in size from 250-1,000 megawatts (one megawatt
operating at full capacity can power 500-1,000 homes). Many large-scale renewable energy facilities are size-able percentages of their electricity also hundreds of megawatts in size, and several states already get from clean power. In fact, more than 60% of the power in Iowa and nearly 60% of the power in South Dakota comes from renewable sources. In contrast, Washington ranks 31st in the country and only gets about 9% of its electricity from wind or solar power. By storing and then dispatching energy from variable renewable resources like wind and solar, projects like Snoqualmie Energy Storage help make it possible to increase the amount of electricity we get from clean, pollution-free sources.

Still have questions?

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