Other BESS Projects in King County
Cascadia Ridge is not the only BESS project proposed in unincorporated King County. The regulatory and community dynamics around these projects provide useful context.
Kingfisher Energy Storage (Covington area)
Tenaska, one of the largest privately held energy companies in the US, proposed the Kingfisher Energy Storage Project through its affiliate Goldfinch Energy Storage, LLC. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) on 14.1 acres in unincorporated King County near Covington, connecting to PSE’s Berrydale Substation. King County permit file CDUP23-0003.
The site is adjacent to Mattson Middle School (Kent School District, ~900 students), Soos Creek (salmon habitat with tribal significance), wetlands, and residential neighborhoods. Zoned RA5 (residential/rural).
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 2023 | Change.org petition launched (“Stop the Kingfisher Energy Facility”) |
| 2023 | Goldfinch files CDUP23-0003 with King County |
| June 2023 | Covington City Council questions Tenaska but acknowledges no jurisdiction (site is unincorporated KC) |
| July 2023 | Councilmember Perry introduces Ordinance 19824 (BESS regulatory framework) |
| 2023 | Army Corps determines it lacks jurisdiction over wetlands, voiding Tenaska’s Section 401 application |
| 2023-2024 | Kent School District passes resolution opposing the project |
| 2023-2024 | Covington City Council calls the siting “a grave neglect of the life and safety duty owed to King County residents” |
| May 2024 | Covington adopts moratorium on BESS within city limits |
| Sept 24, 2024 | KC Council passes Ordinance 19824 (8-1 vote) |
| Oct 14, 2025 | Covington unanimously extends moratorium through May 2026 |
| March 2026 | No active KC applications for Kingfisher |
Current status
Stalled. The King County application appears inactive. The Army Corps wetland application was voided. The project has not been formally withdrawn.
Parallels to Cascadia Ridge
Both projects are in unincorporated King County where the adjacent city has no direct authority over permitting. Both involve salmon-bearing waterways with tribal significance. Both fall under Councilmember Perry’s Ordinance 19824.
Key differences: Kingfisher is adjacent to a middle school with ~900 students. Cascadia Ridge is larger (45 acres / 130 MW vs. 14.1 acres). Covington passed a moratorium within its city limits. Snoqualmie has not. Ordinance 19824 was drafted partly in response to Kingfisher. Cascadia Ridge is one of the first projects to move through it.
Oyster Bay, NY — Jupiter Power (withdrawn)
Same developer as Cascadia Ridge. Jupiter Power proposed a 275 MW BESS (“Oyster Shore”) in Oyster Bay, NY. The town enacted a moratorium in February 2024 and extended it serially, making the permit path unviable. Jupiter Power withdrew in May 2025, citing “no viable permit path.” The town subsequently made its BESS ban permanent.
Opposition was led by the Glen Head-Glenwood Civics Council, the Greenvale Civic Association, and the local school district.
Morro Bay, CA — Vistra 600 MW (withdrawn)
Vistra proposed a 600 MW BESS in Morro Bay, CA. Citizens for Estero Bay Preservation organized a ballot initiative that passed ~60-40% in November 2024, removing the city council’s zoning jurisdiction over the project. After the Moss Landing fire in January 2025, the council voted 5-0 for a moratorium. Vistra formally withdrew in April 2025.
Gillespie County, TX — 145 MW (court-blocked)
A court injunction halted construction of a 145 MW BESS less than 2,000 feet from a school with 600+ students and less than 100 feet from the Pedernales River. The county passed a formal resolution opposing the project. Opposition was organized by Fight BESS Texas.
National context
As of March 2026, 150+ local governments across 17 states have enacted BESS restrictions. The EticaAG BESS Restrictions Database tracks moratoriums, bans, and other restrictions nationwide. The most common triggers are fire risk (especially after the Moss Landing fire), proximity to schools and residences, and inadequate setbacks.
BESS moratoriums in King County
Three King County cities have passed moratoriums on BESS within their city limits:
- Covington: May 2024, extended through May 2026. Planning staff developing permanent BESS code amendments.
- Enumclaw: Year-long moratorium, February 2025.
- Black Diamond: Six-month moratorium, renewed February 2025.
These moratoriums apply only within city limits. They do not affect BESS projects in unincorporated King County, which is where both Kingfisher and Cascadia Ridge are sited.