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.
Tri-Cities and other Eastern WA towns need control over where to put wind turbines
Considering the community outcry last year over the massive Horse Heaven Hills wind farm proposal, we imagine many Tri-Citians are upset by news that the project is a step closer to reality. The Washington state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) decided this week that Scout Clean Energy’s application to build the wind farm cleared its first hurdle and can move forward. Council members had to determine whether the application was consistent with Benton County’s land use plans at the . . . Complete story »
WA state council OKs using ag land south of Tri-Cities for 240+ turbine wind farm
A Washington state council has found that the 24-mile ridge line of Horse Heaven Hills south of the Tri-Cities is an appropriate place for a wind farm. The Washington state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council voted Tuesday to approve an order finding that Scout Clean Energy’s application to build the Horse Heaven Wind Farm was consistent with Benton County land use plans and zoning regulations in place at the time it was first proposed. The ruling is one step toward . . . Complete story »
State energy council approves Horse Heaven Wind Farm
Could the beautiful views of Horse Heaven Hills be replaced with 240 Space Needles? To put this into better context, each windmill would be approximately 500 feet, only 20 feet shorter than the Space Needle’s observation deck. The Washington State Energy Site Evaluation Council has given a land-use approval to a controversial proposed wind turbine farm in the Horse Heaven Hills area. Council votes 7-1 to approve the land use The Council, which is tasked with granting approval throughout the . . . Complete story »
Gov. Inslee visits Rattlesnake Flats; Gubernatorial visit follows criticism from Rep. Mary Dye
RALSTON – A month after vetoing sections affirming local input into development of solar and wind farms, Gov. Jay Inslee tried last week to put a positive spin on his move. The governor spent part of Wednesday, April 20, at Rattlesnake Flats Wind Farm north of Washtucna, in the heart of the 9th Legislative District represented by Sen. Mark Schoesler, and Reps. Mary Dye and Joe Schmick. Inslee’s visit coincided with Earth Week. Rattlesnake Flats includes 57 wind turbines, according . . . Complete story »
Company proposes largest offshore wind farm on West Coast
A company is proposing to build what could be the West Coast’s biggest floating offshore wind farm, suggesting the expansion of a technology that has yet to find footing in the U.S. Known as Olympic Wind, the project’s outlines were presented by Washington-based Trident Winds in an unsolicited request for a federal lease in late March. The proposal could include up to 2,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for about 800,000 homes, produced from turbines mounted on platforms and moored to . . . Complete story »
Vetoes erase local input on wind, solar farms
POMEROY – Two Eastern Washington lawmakers are irate that Gov. Jay Inslee is pushing wind and solar farms on the region without providing for local input. Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, and Rep. Mark Klicker, R-Walla Walla, said Monday, March 28, that it’s unconscionable the governor vetoed portions of House Bill 1812 that would give local leaders and opportunity to challenge wind and solar farm placement. The governor vetoed sections 19-22 of the bill establishing an independent evaluation committee that would . . . Complete story »
Inslee’s partial veto of clean energy sites bill upsets Eastern lawmakers
Gov. Jay Inslee vetoing major sections of a clean energy siting facility bill could end up having major consequences for Eastern Washington. House Bill 1812 expands the jurisdiction of the state’s Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, made up primarily of state agency officials who report to Inslee, to help meet clean energy goals and create clean energy jobs. The council reviews large-scale energy development in the state. After public hearings, it sends a recommendation to the governor, who approves or . . . Complete story »
Inslee veto kills most of wind-farm ‘slowdown’ energy bill
Several Eastern Washington legislators are ‘upset’ to put it mildly over Governor Inslee’s partial veto of a hard-fought energy bill. Inslee shoots down requirements for rural input in massive energy projects In layman’s terms, for a number of years now, Eastern WA and other rural areas are being overrun with alternative energy projects, especially wind farms, while that energy is intended for larger urban areas. Many state officials and out-of-state companies are looking to dump massive wind farms all over . . . Complete story »
Inslee guts legislation to look at how wind, solar projects would change Eastern WA
Gov. Jay Inslee vetoed sections of an energy bill that would have given Eastern Washington residents more input and a broader, long-term look at where wind and solar projects are sited. Late Friday afternoon the governor signed House Bill 1812, which makes changes to the state council that evaluates and makes recommendations on allowing new energy projects in the state. He had requested the legislation but was unhappy with sections that Reps. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, and Mark Klicker, R-Walla Walla, . . . Complete story »
WA Gov. Inslee ‘clearly doesn’t care what we think’ about wind turbines in the Tri-Cities
Does Governor Jay Inslee understand the energy industry? Those of us who live in the Tri-Cities do. Recently, the Governor made comments while visiting that suggest that wind turbines are the cure-all for all of our ails. He is wrong and he knows it. Let’s take a look at his comments one by one. “Wind Energy is a way to reduce forest fires.” This is not true. The fact of the matter is that the more turbines you build the . . . Complete story »
