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.
More renewable energy, less energy efficiency in new Northwest power plan
More renewable energy development and less room for energy conservation are two of the biggest changes in the draft of the new regional power plan. The Northwest Power Plan guides the electricity demand decisions of the Bonneville Power Administration over the next 20 years. Energy experts say the draft of the 2021 Northwest Power Plan is dramatically different from previous versions. “A lot of things are changing right now because of people’s concern about carbon emissions and greenhouse gas emissions that . . . Complete story »
After appeal, three companies involved in the wind farm death of Chehalis man will pay out full $549,874
After settling an appeal in July with a state appeals board, the three companies found to have violated worksite safety laws that led to the death of a worker at the Skookumchuck Wind Farm will pay out the full $549,874 originally levied against them last year. A Washington state Department of Labor and Industries spokesperson confirmed the information to The Chronicle this week after manslaughter charges were levied against five site workers earlier this week in Lewis County Superior Court. . . . Complete story »
5 charged with manslaughter in death of worker during construction of wind farm
Five people are facing manslaughter charges for the death of a Chehalis man who died in January 2020 when a trench that had not been reinforced collapsed during construction of the Skookumchuck Wind Farm along the border of Lewis and Thurston counties. The charges were filed in Lewis County Superior Court on Aug. 9 – 20 months after the death of 24-year-old Jonathan F. Stringer, who left behind a young daughter and a fiancée. Three of the co-defendants – site foreman Matt . . . Complete story »
Input wanted on Douglas County prohibition on large solar and wind farms
Last year, the Douglas County Commission became aware of interest by outside entities in putting large-scale solar and wind energy facilities in unincorporated areas of the County. Douglas County Commissioner Marc Straub: Straub says typically international corporations purchase thousands of acres of land for those solar and wind farms. Last month, the Commission put in place interim control measures, which amends the current code language related to the permitting and siting of those facilities, and is done in advance of . . . Complete story »
WA puts hawk from Tri-Cities area on endangered list. Wind turbines partly to blame
The largest hawk in North America has been declared an endangered species in Washington state as fewer of them have been breeding in Benton and Franklin counties. Friday the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission voted unanimously to move the ferruginous hawk from the state’s threatened species list to endangered. status. The change will bring more visibility toward the decline of the species, said Commissioner Kim Thorburn. It also could prompt more steps to protect the hawks. The . . . Complete story »
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 »
