{"id":2255624,"date":"2024-05-30T09:44:02","date_gmt":"2024-05-30T13:44:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/washington-clean-energy-project-mired-in-no-mans-land-amid-planning-setbacks\/"},"modified":"2024-05-30T09:50:18","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T13:50:18","slug":"washington-clean-energy-project-mired-in-no-mans-land-amid-planning-setbacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/washington-clean-energy-project-mired-in-no-mans-land-amid-planning-setbacks\/","title":{"rendered":"Challenges Delay Washington Clean Energy Project"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">12<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwashington-clean-energy-project-mired-in-no-mans-land-amid-planning-setbacks%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2255624&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Horse \u200bHeaven Clean Energy\u200c Center\u2063 project in Washington, \u200bgenerating wind and solar energy, faces delays in construction since\u200d 2021. Governor Jay Inslee has sent the proposed site agreement back for review, raising concerns about its environmental impact.\u2064 The\u2064 project\u200d aims to produce 1,150 MW of energy and includes wind turbines and solar arrays. Various stakeholders \u200dare involved, with \u2063ongoing \u200cissues regarding water rights \u2063and \u2062environmental\u200d regulations.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>(The Center Square)\u00a0\u2013 The Horse Heaven Clean Energy Center\u00a0generating\u00a0wind and solar energy south of the Tri-Cities in southeastern\u00a0Washington\u00a0was <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/horseheavencleanenergy.com\/faq\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">expected<\/a><\/strong> to begin construction in 2021. Three years later, the project is still in the planning phase, with Gov. Jay Inslee most recently sending the proposed site certification agreement back to the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council for reconsideration.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the process has drawn concern from local officials for its potential impact to natural resources in addition to what some perceive as skirting state environmental regulations. <\/p>\n<p>In 2021, Boulder, Colorado-based Scout Clean Energy <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scoutcleanenergy.com\/horse-heaven-wind-farm-submits-application-to-state-board\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">filed<\/a><\/strong> an application for the project, which, if completed, would generate 1,150 megawatts of energy and have up to 231 wind turbines. It would also include solar arrays that generate no more than 800 MW of energy. The project would encompass approximately 72,428 acres of privately owned land that is otherwise used for dryland wheat farming.<\/p>\n<p>EFSEC eventually reduced the project\u2019s scope from its original design out of environmental concerns, such as protecting historic hawk nest sites by creating a buffer zone between them and wind turbines.<\/p>\n<p>Islee wrote in a May 25 letter to the council that the proposed site was too small and needed to be expanded. He argued that their environmental protection \u201ctakes an overly broad approach to addressing the\u00a0very different types of\u00a0impacts at issue.\u00a0The outright prohibition of turbine locations should be replaced\u00a0with mitigation in the form of operational conditions that allow for build-out of the vast majority of the proposed Project.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile it is incumbent upon the Council to minimize environmental and other impacts of these projects where feasible, the critical need for rapid and large-scale growth in our state\u2019s clean energy generation capacity should guide the Council\u2019s consideration of conditions or limitations that would limit the scale of proposed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-bidens-latest-budget-proposal\/\" title=\"5 Things You Need To Know About Biden\u2019s Latest Budget Proposal\">clean energy projects<\/a>,\u201d\u00a0he wrote further.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.efsec.wa.gov\/about-efsec\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EFSEC<\/a><\/strong> was created\u00a0in 1970\u00a0for\u00a0siting\u00a0and permitting of\u00a0large energy projects.\u00a0In 2022, the state Legislature enacted <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/app.leg.wa.gov\/billsummary?billnumber=1812&#038;year=2022#:~:text=Modernizing%20the%20energy%20facility%20site,the%20state's%20clean%20energy%20goals.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">House Bill 1812<\/a><\/strong>, which made the council a stand-alone entity within the state government, gave it further authority regarding clean energy projects, and directed it toward collaboration with local governments and tribes when choosing locations for those projects.<\/p>\n<p>However, some elected officials saw a variety of flaws in the process. Yakima Commissioner Amanda McKinney said local governments are legally liable for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrat-senate-candidate-fetterman-allegedly-ordered-cop-to-dig-up-dirt-on-political-rival-as-mayor\/\" title=\"Democrat Senate Candidate Fetterman Allegedly Ordered Cop to Dig Up Dirt on Political Rival as Mayor\">violating state laws<\/a>, including the Growth Management Act, if they issue permits that do not comply. Individuals can sue local governments under GMA even if they do not live in the affected area or lack standing.<\/p>\n<p>One of the project\u2019s ongoing problems is a water source for both construction and operations. Currently, Scout Clean Energy has yet to secure the necessary water rights. It originally intended to obtain them from the Selah-Moxee Irrigation District but was denied. Scout Clean Energy then applied through the state Department of Ecology to gain groundwater rights from a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.ecology.wa.gov\/publications\/documents\/2011031.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">watershed<\/a><\/strong> located in south-central Washington and managed by the state Department of Natural Resources.<\/p>\n<p>In an Oct. 24 letter to EFSEC, McKinney requested a restart of the State Environmental Protection Act process.\u00a0Among\u00a0her concerns is a potential \u201cimpact to water right holders and users\u201d\u00a0within the Yakima Basin.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a sham,\u201d\u00a0she said.\u00a0\u201cHow can you come up with\u00a0an environmental review that is satisfactory\u00a0to mitigate\u00a0for\u00a0the response if you don\u2019t know where the water is coming from?\u00a0When we don\u2019t have enough water already, it\u2019s a significant issue.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Yakima County is among the entities involved in the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, which is made up of conservation groups, irrigators, state, local, and federal agencies\u00a0in addition to\u00a0the Yakama Nation. That 23-member group collaborates on\u00a0how to increase water supply in the region.<\/p>\n<p>Also among its members is Benton County Board of Commissioners,\u00a0who\u00a0last year passed a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bentoncountywa.gov\/newsview.aspx?nid=6525\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">resolution<\/a><\/strong> in opposition to\u00a0the project, claiming that it is \u201cinconsistent and incompatible with required outright permitted uses\u201d\u00a0under state law.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/app.leg.wa.gov\/billsummary?BillNumber=5992&#038;Year=2023&#038;Initiative=false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Senate Bill 5992<\/a><\/strong> proposed this legislative session would have required anyone seeking EFSEC certification for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/10-gop-senators-agree-to-biden-infrastructure-framework\/\" title=\"10 GOP Senators Agree To Biden Infrastructure Framework\">clean energy project<\/a> to provide evidence of an adequate water supply; the bill failed to clear the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy &#038; Technology.<\/p>\n<p>Among its supporters was the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, which argued in written testimony that the bill would ensure that EFSEC has \u201csufficient information to fulfill its responsibility\u00a0to fully evaluate each project\u2019s environmental impacts.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Aside from water rights, McKinney said one of her big problems with the process has been\u00a0inconsistent\u00a0application of state law.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t\u00a0have an opinion\u00a0necessarily\u00a0about what it is\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0being built.\u00a0Where I have a strong opinion is providing this type of expedited process,\u201dshe\u00a0said.\u00a0\u201cEvery year,\u00a0regulations\u00a0for building and development become even more strict and more\u00a0onerous\u00a0on the part of applicants,\u00a0and\u00a0yet\u00a0for\u00a0this specific\u00a0sector\u00a0they are willing to overlook the impacts.\u00a0My highest concern is for the safety and wellbeing of the\u00a0residents sited nearby.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Even if EFSEC addresses Inslee\u2019s concerns, McKinney said the county will not\u00a0issuing\u00a0any new permits for the project until all questions regarding legal liability\u00a0are addressed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re\u00a0struck\u00a0in no man\u2019s land,\u201d\u00a0she said.<\/p>\n<p>She added that there are plans to introduce a bill during next year\u2019s legislative session requiring EFSEC siting certification to comply with the same environmental regulations as local governments.<\/p>\n<p>When The Center Square\u00a0reached out to\u00a0EFSEC for comment, a public information officer wrote in an email that \u201calthough we are not in a position to comment on the Horse Heaven project at the moment, I can say that EFSEC is reviewing Gov. Inslee\u2019s direction and we are working on mapping out the next steps forward in the process.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0Center Square also\u00a0reached out to\u00a0Scout Clean Energy for comment on Gov. Inslee\u2019s letter to EFSEC.\u00a0CEO Michael Rucker wrote in a statement\u00a0that\u00a0\u201cwe appreciate Governor Inslee\u2019s leadership and the efforts\u00a0being made\u00a0by all parties to strike the appropriate balance between mitigating potential impacts and maximizing the project\u2019s ability to generate urgently needed clean energy.\u00a0We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with all project stakeholders to achieve Washington state\u2019s goals for combating climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In his letter to EFSEC, Inslee requested that they resubmit the draft certification agreement within 90 calendar days.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Horse Heaven Clean Energy Center, set to produce wind and solar energy near Tri-Cities, WA, faced delays. Initially slated for construction in 2021, the project remains in the planning stage. Governor Jay Inslee recently returned the proposed site agreement to the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2255625,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24014160623172-1024x683.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2255624","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24014160623172-1024x683.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2255624","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2255624"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2255624\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2255625"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2255624"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2255624"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2255624"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}