The Skagit County government meeting on April 29, 2025, featured significant public concern regarding the proposed lithium battery storage facility in Cedar Woolley. Residents expressed strong opposition to the project, citing environmental risks and lack of community awareness.

Ingrid Hinton, a Mount Vernon resident, highlighted the facility's proximity to a mobile home park, emphasizing the potential dangers to local families and wildlife. She noted that many residents were unaware of the project, raising alarms about the environmental impact, including toxic fumes and heavy metal contamination.

Nancy Lee, a business owner in Cedar Woolley, echoed Hinton's sentiments, describing the project as "greenwashing" and asserting that it lacked local support. She criticized the decision to place such a facility near schools and vulnerable populations, arguing that it contradicts Washington's identity as the "Evergreen State."

Jim Lee, also a Cedar Woolley business owner, questioned the motivations behind the project, suggesting it was driven by profit rather than community benefit. He pointed out that the project was not widely publicized, leading to a lack of public engagement.

The Skagit County Board of Commissioners clarified their opposition to the project, stating that they had consistently opposed the facility due to its location on agricultural land and its potential impact on local ecosystems. They noted that the decision-making process was largely out of their hands, as the Energy Facilities Evaluation Site Council had taken control of the project.

The meeting underscored the community's strong resistance to the lithium battery facility, with residents calling for greater transparency and consideration of environmental and public health impacts. The board's commitment to opposing the project reflects ongoing tensions between local governance and state-level energy initiatives.