The Island County Commissioners voted Monday to file a motion to request to intervene with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on two proposed tidal energy projects, one at Deception Pass and the other at Admiralty Inlet.

The Seattle law firm Foster Pepper PLLC will likely represent the county as a contract deputy prosecutor. Several other counties, local governments, and special interest groups have already filed motions to intervene on other potential tidal energy projects scattered around Puget Sound.

With “intervener” status, the county will be involved throughout the entire process. During a conference call on Monday, Steve DiJulio, special deputy prosecuting attorney with Foster Pepper, said other communities have chosen to intervene to allow them to monitor the process and ensure that all issues are addressed should the projects ultimately move forward. The City of Port Townsend is also intervening on the Admiralty Inlet proposal.

“These other communities have determined it’s in their best interest to do so…” DiJulio said. “In order to have a seat at the negotiating table, you need to be an intervener.”

The attorney said that Island County is filing late, which means FERC could deny the motion. However, DiJulio said a denial was not a likelihood.

Producing tidal energy at Deception pass would entail placing large turbines near the seabed. Tidal action would rotate the turbines, thus producing energy. Applications for the alternative energy projects have been submitted throughout the Northwest, from Alaska to the Columbia River, DiJulio said.

After a brief executive session Monday, the commissioners moved to retain the services of Foster Pepper and move forward with the intervention process.

“If we don’t intervene, we’re not part of the process,” said Commissioner Mac McDowell.