Process to request a pre-application and formal application review on a Project:

EFSEC encourages applicants to engage in our pre-application process. Pre-application review allows EFSEC the opportunity to identify areas of deficiencies and do a preliminary check for compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies. The pre-application process can prevent costly delays by providing stakeholders with early involvement in the review process. We have found that doing so provides the opportunity to substantially reduce project impacts and contribute to a more complete application, facilitating EFSEC’s review upon receipt of the formal application.

EFSEC offers two options for pre-application, neither of which obligates the applicant to formally submit an application through EFSEC, but ideally improves the application regardless of the ultimate siting pathway.

Track 1: The informal pre-application process requires limited hours of EFSEC staff time to review. No funded studies or outside involvement from consultants or contracted agencies is required. Site specialists have dedicated hours allotted per month of their time funded by pre-application funding to cover these reviews. No additional administrative work is needed during this work, and no deposit is required for this level of pre-application review. This track may proceed to track 2, or straight to formal application.

Track 2: The pre-application process requires involvement with a consultant or contracted agencies outside of EFSEC for formal studies or for Subject Matter Expert (SME) to review and complete work. This will require administrative work, including an account code to be issued for the project in the pre-application phase. This enables project cost tracking and for all costs to be billed to the project. This level of pre-application review will require a $10K deposit. This track may proceed to formal application.

EFSEC encourages developers to reach out to our office and discuss which pre-application track may be right for your project.

1. A pre-application fee of $10,000 will only be collected if the proposed project requires more than minimal staff time and/or involvement of contractors to complete the pre-application review (track 2).
2. The deposits are not charged against, rather they are held as a retainer, and the developer will be billed for staff and contractor time.
3. Formal application requires a $50,000 deposit at time of application submission. If EFSEC collected a $10,000 deposit during the pre-application phase, then a sum of $40,000 is to be collected at the time of formal application equaling a total of $50,000.

Once the project wants to formally apply in full, the remaining $40K deposit must be submitted along with a full Application for Site Certification.

• For projects following track 1, a project code will be issued upon receipt of the formal application deposit to which all project costs will be charged.

W9 Form: If the company sends EFSEC a W9 form, Department of Enterprise Services - Accounts Receivable will fill it out. EFSEC will return it to the company.

• EFSEC Wire ACH Bank Letter

The instructions for making the payment are included in the EFSEC Wire/ACH document above.

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) processes payment on behalf of EFSEC. After the deposit is received, DES will establish an account for the project and the company who owns the project will receive confirmation.

Please note, applicants should not send payment to address: 1500 Jefferson Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501, as this will cause long delays in payment processing. Please use the address listed under the section named “Concentration Account” in the document. 60 Livingston Ave; St. Paul, MN 55107-2292 and include Account Name: 463-DEPT OF ENTERPRISE SERVICES.

Checks: If a physical check is used, the check should be sent to the US Bank Lockbox address below:

DES-SAFS Agencies
PO BOX 24281
Seattle, WA 98124-0281

The deposits need to be made out on behalf of EFSEC (not UTC or DES).

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to EFSEC staff at Fiscal@efsec.wa.gov or efsec@efsec.wa.gov.