Wind Power News: Washington
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Proposal to lay cables under Columbia met with skepticism
Can slicing a 100-mile trench into the bed of the Columbia River be good for the environment? The answer is a big yes, says a team of energy developers that proposes submerging power cables in the riverbed. The developers say the cables could deliver “clean” energy that will be crucial for getting the most densely developed areas of Cascadia off fossil fuels. A proposal by energy developer Sun2o Partners and transmission developer PowerBridge would insert the cables into the Columbia . . . Complete story »
June 10th deadline for comments on Horse Heaven Wind Farm
June 10th is approaching, and it’s the last day for public input on a proposed massive wind farm project that would string turbines from Finley to and along the spine of the Horse Heaven Hills south of Kennewick. Since last fall, a group called Save Our Ridges has been opposing the plan. Recently this spring, Benton County Commissioners held an information hearing to take public input. Unfortunately, they do not have a legal say in the matter; it will be . . . Complete story »
NW solar, wind developments could impact vast swaths of ag land
Up to 146,000 acres of the Northwest – much of it farmland – could be converted to solar production by 2050, according to a recent study. In addition, wind power production could directly impact nearly 8,800 acres. The American Farmland Trust used National Renewable Energy Lab data to study several scenarios, said Addie Candib, Pacific Northwest regional director for the trust. AFT is a nonprofit that works to protect and conserve farmland. The cost of solar developments will impact the number and . . . Complete story »
A proposed $1.7 billion wind and solar project generates hopes and fears in South Central Washington state
KENNEWICK, Benton County – Back in March, Chris Wiley passed a long day in his tractor sowing wheat. He had the controls set to automatic steering and scanned social media. He did not like what he found. In post after post, people raged about a renewable energy project that would put wind turbines and solar development in the Horse Heaven Hills where he farms. Critics from Pasco, Kennewick and Richland attacked the plan as an outrage that would blemish cherished vistas . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines
I read, with great distress, an article regarding future plans by the Marine and Coastal Research Laboratory that includes research on where to safely put wind turbines along coastlines. (PDN, April 5) Chris Dissing, manager of the Sequim lab facility said, “We have capabilities to do a lot of cool things.” I assure you that it is not cool to cover our landscape and seascape with wind turbines produced in China. Millions of insects and birds, including endangered species, have . . . Complete story »
Inform state you oppose turbines
Recently there have been quite a few letters to the editor opposing the proposed Scout Clean Energy. This is a great way to get the word out to those impacted by it but to be even more effective, opponents need to let the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (efsec@utc.wa.gov or P.O. Box 43172. Olympia Wash., 98504-3172) know how they feel about it. In addition, please send an email or letter to Gov. Jay Inslee, and please sign the online petition . . . Complete story »
Horse Heaven Wind Farm leadership responds to damaging polls, public opposition
BENTON COUNTY, Wash. – Ever since the Horse Heaven Wind Farm was first proposed, it’s been a point of contention amongst Benton County community members. Opposition intensified when the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce conducted a public opinion survey that saw 78 percent of 2,200 respondents express concerns about the project. As a result of their findings, the Chamber of Commerce took an official stance against Horse Heaven Wind Farm and sent a letter detailing their concerns to Governor Jay Inslee . . . Complete story »
Public opinion survey results and chamber position RE: Horse Heaven Wind Project
Dear Governor Inslee and Chair Drew, As the fifth largest chamber in the state, with a Board of Directors representing 37 businesses ranging from sole proprietors to the largest employers in Benton and Franklin Counties, the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce (TCRCC) recently responded to the concerns of community stakeholders and Tri-Citians by engaging the region in a Public Opinion Survey to determine community sentiment regarding the Horse Heaven Wind Project and to identify issues of greatest interest and concern. . . . Complete story »
Results of chamber’s Horse Heaven Wind Project public opinion survey
The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a Public Opinion Survey regarding the Horse Heaven Wind Project which elicited 2,220 responses over a two-week period. The survey aimed to help determine local sentiment about the proposed project and to identify issues of greatest interest and concern to the region. The results show overwhelming opposition to the project, with 78 percent of respondents expressing that the Horse Heaven Wind Project is not worth the personal, environmental, and economic impacts on . . . Complete story »
Wind farm plan worries WDFW
KENNEWICK – The proposed Horse Heaven Hills Wind Farm just south of the Tri-Cities would be so large that its impacts on important wildlife would be difficult, if not impossible, to avoid, says the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife. While the state agency is still preparing formal written comments, a staff member gave a brief overview of its concerns during Tuesday night’s meeting of the Washington state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. More than 200 people attended the virtual . . . Complete story »
