Chapter 2.125
UTILITIES PLANNING AND
ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Sections:

2.125.010 Established.

2.125.020 Purpose.

2.125.030 Function.

2.125.040 Membership – Term of office.

2.125.050 Organization – Meetings.

2.125.060 Committee staffing.

2.125.010 Established.

There is hereby established the Whatcom County utilities planning and advisory committee (UPAC). (Ord. 2000-027).

2.125.020 Purpose.

The committee is created to ensure the protection of public health and safety and the environment, and also preserve custom, culture, and economic stability, when new electric, natural gas, and petroleum transmission facilities are proposed. The committee will also review telecommunications proposals to enhance economic development in Whatcom County. (Ord. 2000-027).

2.125.030 Function.

A. The committee will provide ongoing oversight of utility related issues specifically effectiveness of comprehensive plan policies and development regulations in meeting comprehensive plan goals, community needs, and address public health and safety issues.

B. Specific Functions for the Utility Committee.

1. Review the opportunities for greater coordination of electric utility planning and facility development within Whatcom County and this region. Include local and regional power suppliers, and state and federal agencies. Develop comprehensive plan policies and development regulation proposals for county consideration.

2. Review the opportunities for greater coordination of natural gas utility planning and facility development within Whatcom County and this region. Include local and regional pipeline companies and state and federal agencies. Develop comprehensive plan policies and development regulation proposals for county consideration.

3. Identify possible deficiencies in the comprehensive plan policies and development regulations regarding the siting of new facilities. Develop comprehensive plan policies and development regulation proposals for county consideration.

4. Review and update, in cooperation with all applicable electric and natural gas providers, the comprehensive plan electric and natural gas/pipeline needs analysis, evaluate existing and necessary future system facilities necessary to accommodate demand. Include an evaluation of existing corridors and provide proposed routes for any new corridors determined necessary to accommodate projected growth demands. (Ord. 2000-027).

2.125.040 Membership – Term of office.

A. The committee shall consist of the following individuals:

1. One representative from each of the following: Cascade Natural Gas, Puget Sound Energy, Public Utility District #1, and Bonneville Power Administration;

2. One representative from the city of Bellingham, and one representative from the small cities;

3. Six representatives, two from each council district, who shall be citizens of Whatcom County. The citizens shall not be employees of the aforementioned entities.

B. The county council will appoint the citizen committee members. Citizen member terms will be two years; provided, that the terms of members first appointed will be staggered so that half of the committee members shall be appointed for one year. (Ord. 2000-027).

2.125.050 Organization – Meetings.

Meetings of the committee shall be open and accessible to the public and shall be subject to the Open Public Meetings Act. The committee shall determine its own meeting schedule, but shall meet at least quarterly. At every meeting, the committee will schedule an open session to take public comment on utility issues. Written and audio records of meetings, resolutions, findings and recommendations shall be kept and such records shall be public. The committee shall adopt its own rules and procedures for the conduct of business. The committee shall elect a chairperson from among its members who shall preside at its meetings. (Ord. 2000-027).

2.125.060 Committee staffing.

The Whatcom County planning and development services department shall provide staffing for the committee. The committee is authorized to request from the executive’s office information from administrative departments as necessary. (Ord. 2000-027).