File #: 2023-0092    Version: 1
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 2/21/2023 In control: Local Services and Land Use Committee
On agenda: Final action: 5/2/2023
Enactment date: 5/12/2023 Enactment #: 19601
Title: AN ORDINANCE relating to fossil fuel facilities and non-hydroelectric generation facilities; and amending Ordinance 10870, Section 337, as amended, and K.C.C. 21A.08.100, Ordinance 10870, Section 443, as amended, and K.C.C. 21A.22.050 and Ordinance 12020, Section 17, and K.C.C. 27A.30.060.
Sponsors: Sarah Perry, Dave Upthegrove
Code sections: 21A.08.100 - , 21A.22.050 - , 27A.30.060 - *
Attachments: 1. Ordinance 19601, 2. 2023-0092 Fossil Fuel Risk Bonds Report, 3. 2023-0092 SEPA Environmental Checklist FINAL_REVISED, 4. 2023-0092 SEPA DNS TD -FFF Financial cov, 5. 2023-0092 Summary of Public Engagement on Executive's Proposal, 6. 2023-0092_SR_FFF-NHG, 7. 2023-0092--Seattle Times - Invoice #52117 - $236.38, 8. FFF Financial coverage-SEPA-Addendum2-041923-signed, 9. 19601--2023-0092--Seattle Times - Order #56321 - $165.02
Staff: Tracy, Jake
Drafter
Clerk 02/16/2023
Title
AN ORDINANCE relating to fossil fuel facilities and non-hydroelectric generation facilities; and amending Ordinance 10870, Section 337, as amended, and K.C.C. 21A.08.100, Ordinance 10870, Section 443, as amended, and K.C.C. 21A.22.050 and Ordinance 12020, Section 17, and K.C.C. 27A.30.060.
Body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. In 2020, King County adopted new regulations for fossil fuel facilities and non-hydroelectric generation facilities in unincorporated King County. Those regulations placed limits on the development and operation of these facilities in order to address impacts to the residents of King County.
2. Operation of fossil fuel facilities carries risk of explosion, leaks, spills and pollution of air and water. King County has responsibility for upholding the public health, safety and welfare of all residents while mitigating and preparing for natural and human-caused disasters, protecting and preserving natural systems and supporting economic development.
3. At the time these regulations were adopted, the council directed the executive to undertake a study assessing risks associated with explosions, leaks, pollution and other potential hazards resulting from fossil fuel facilities and related uses, as well as an evaluation of the adequacy of existing financial assurance mechanisms in reducing the county's economic and financial risks associated with these uses.
4. In 2022, the executive transmitted a report on the required study, which found that fossil fuel facilities and non-hydroelectric generation facilities do pose economic and financial risk to the county. The report recommended adopting regulations requiring fossil fuel facilities and non-hydroelectric generation facilities to carry some form of financial responsibility to cover damages that could be caused by these facilities.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Ordinance 10870, Section 337, as amended, and K.C.C. 21A.08.100 are hereby a...

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