Washington Tribes Oppose Wind Project

A group of tribal communities in Washington state is suing to stop a massive wind energy project, “alleging that the decision-making process sidestepped state law and failed to mitigate potential damage to the tribe’s treaty-protected natural and cultural resources.”

As Natalia Mesa explains in High Country News, the project, which includes three solar arrays and over 200 wind turbines, extends into Yakama ceremonial sites and historically and culturally important areas. “Development would also impact the natural habitat of pronghorn and ferruginous hawks, a threatened species featured prominently in Yakama Nation ceremonies.”

The proposal has gone through several iterations after the state’s Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) recommended that the developer downsize the project and take steps to mitigate any potential harms. “Tri-Cities C.A.R.E.S., a group of homeowners, and Benton County also filed lawsuits. The lawsuits are separate but similar, and they cite different concerns: Tri-Cities C.A.R.E.S. sued mainly to protect homeowners’ viewshed and property values, while Benton County contends that the project would significantly disrupt the area’s agricultural industry.”

The controversy highlights a flaw in the state’s permitting system, which doesn’t call for public and tribal consultation until after a project proposal is submitted. “Audubon, tribes and other stakeholders are currently in talks with developers and state officials, pushing for a new approach that requires consultation with tribes and local governments before projects are approved. Instead of having developers submit plans, tribal nations and local governments would establish “build-ready” sites — sites that are pre-vetted for clean energy buildout.”