The first two Energize Eastside Environmental Impact Statement public scoping meetings are this week, with the first chance for the public to weigh in coming tonight in Bellevue.

On Thursday, the meeting will be in Renton.

Puget Sound’s Energy’s Energize Eastside project looks to update the company’s electric grid, replacing the old 115 kilovolt transmission lines with new, 230 kV versions.

According to PSE, the update is necessary to continue to provide power to the east side of Lake Washignton, from Renton to Redmond. While the company says generating the power is not an issue, it projects the current lines will be unable to handle the draw during peak usage within five years.

As part of the process, an environmental impact statement is required.

Agencies, affected tribes, and members of the public are invited to comment on the scope of the EIS. You may comment on alternatives, mitigation measures, probable significant adverse impacts, and licenses or other approvals that may be required.

An expanded scoping process is being provided pursuant to WAC 197-11-410, and will include five public scoping meetings.

This scoping period is intended to assist in identifying technically viable alternatives that address PSE’s reported electrical transmission capacity deficiency. Scoping comments should focus on identification of viable alternatives and associated impacts. Construction and operation level impacts will be addressed with Phase 2 of the EIS process.

The first scoping meeting is at 6 to 9 p.m. tonight at Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave. N.E., Bellevue.

The second meeting is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Renton City Hall, 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton.

Comments can also be made by email at scoping@energizeeastsideEIS.org or online at www.energizeeastsideEIS.org. The comment period runs through June 15.