Skagit County will hold a public hearing on December 20, 2024, to assess NextEra Energy's application for a special use permit to develop a battery energy storage system (BESS) near The Port of Skagit. The proposed project will occupy 22. 6 acres of land designated for heavy industrial use and aims to store 200 megawatt hours of energy for up to four hours, enhancing the county's energy storage capabilities. This initiative is critical for increasing power capacity and providing greater grid resiliency, which is vital for local infrastructure. The hearing will include testimonies from the project proponent and recommendations from the county’s planning staff, with public testimony being welcomed.

Interested parties must submit written comments by December 19, 2024, to ensure their input is considered. The Skagit County Planning and Development Services completed a SEPA review in June 2024, issuing a Mitigated Determination of Nonsignificance, which indicates minimal environmental impact. The MDNS notice has been widely disseminated, and no appeals have been filed against the project. This development is an important step towards modernizing the region's energy infrastructure and addressing future energy demands.