Tri Cities wind/solar project approved to protect endangered hawks

The Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) approved a revised recommendation for the Horse Heaven Clean Energy Center project on a 4-3 vote after a brief meeting on Friday. This decision followed three years of study and was influenced by concerns regarding the protection of endangered ferruginous hawks, Native American traditional lands, and the visual impact on the Tri-Cities skyline. Governor Jay Inslee had previously urged for more tailored mitigation measures to address the state's clean energy needs. The revised project will see a reduction in the number of proposed wind turbines, impacting approximately three dozen. Despite the approval, dissenting EFSEC members expressed concerns about the lack of consideration for local community impacts. Water rights in the project area were also discussed, with potential issues raised regarding the use of water in a region known for its agricultural significance. Dye, a council member, highlighted the importance of water as a vital resource for the local economy, emphasizing that the project could affect agricultural land. She indicated that the water rights situation is complex, governed by a first-come, first-served principle, which could complicate the project's execution. Following the vote, EFSEC staff communicated that the draft certification would be resubmitted to the governor for approval or rejection within 60 days. In light of the recent developments, Dye is working on legislation to amend EFSEC policies to limit the governor's influence over future project recommendations.