Resources

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.