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 are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Skookumchuck Wind Project turbines could be running by end of 2019
The energy company behind the 38-turbine wind energy project along the Lewis-Thurston county line is nearing the construction phase as the environmental permitting process wraps up. “As long as we can get the (final environmental impact statement) on the street, published by mid-next week, I think we’ll be OK,” said Sean Bell, senior development manager with RES-Americas. Bell said construction on the Skookumchuck Wind Energy Project is slated to begin in April, with the turbines up and running at the . . . Complete story »
Commissioners prevented poverty
Avista electric customers can rest assured that electricity prices will not skyrocket to levels that afflict HydroOne’s Ontario customers, now that Washington’s and Idaho’s utility commissions rejected the Avista Corp. acquisition, a ploy that Financial Post calls “fake capitalism for monopolies.” High electric bills devastate rural Ontario today, according to CKWS TV News. The cost of HydroOne’s electricity remained secretive here while Ontario’s rates zoomed to North America’s highest. In 2013, 392,962 Ontario electric customers could not pay electricity bills . . . Complete story »
Feds seek public comment on wind energy project
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comment on a draft environmental impact statement and habitat conservation plan for a proposed wind energy project in the region. The Skookumchuck Wind Energy project’s 38 wind turbines will be built in Lewis County, but Thurston County residents can comment, too, because the project will result in infrastructure improvements to roads and bridges in the southern part of the county, spokeswoman Ann Froschauer said. Residents can comment in the following ways: . . . Complete story »
Stung by failed carbon fee, greens focus on renewables
Climate hawks began to shift their focus yesterday from a defeated carbon fee referendum in Washington state to boosting renewables in states where Democrats wrested control of legislatures and governors’ mansions from Republicans. Heading into Tuesday’s midterms, greens had hoped a win in Washington, where a ballot initiative asked voters to approve a fee on carbon emissions, would propel a series of state carbon-pricing plans nationwide. But with the carbon fee headed for a resounding defeat, environmentalists said they would . . . Complete story »
Wash. carbon fee goes down in setback to greens nationally
A proposed carbon fee in Washington state appeared headed for resounding defeat yesterday, capping off a disappointing night at the ballot box for climate hawks. Voters also overwhelmingly rejected a renewable portfolio standard in Arizona and an enhanced oil and gas setback proposal in Colorado. The Washington loss is the third time in three years a carbon pricing proposal has failed in the Evergreen State. It deals greens a massive setback nationally just as the idea of pricing carbon dioxide . . . Complete story »
Expect your power bill to go up if carbon initiative passes, say PUDs
Kennewick, WA Both the Benton and Franklin PUD commissions are opposing an initiative on the November ballot that would charge a fee on carbon pollution. It would raise electric rates for their customers even though the Benton PUD already has a 92 percent carbon-free fuel mix for the electricity it distributes and the Franklin PUD has a 93 percent carbon-free fuel mix, the PUDs said. Much of their electricity comes from hydropower. The Benton Public Utility District Commission, which approved . . . Complete story »
Renewable energy goal creates familiar tension between business, environment concerns
The Spokane City Council is scheduled to once again take up the issue of environmental sustainability Monday night, and familiar battle lines already are drawn. The panel will debate a plan calling for the city to use 100 percent renewable energy within 12 years. While the city has said it’s already met that goal for government functions, the law would apply to private citizens and businesses as well. Supporters say Spokane must do its part to counteract the effects of . . . Complete story »
Solar plan collides with farm tradition in Pacific Northwest
ELLENSBURG, Wash. – When a company from Seattle came calling, wanting to lease some land on Jeff and Jackie Brunson’s 1,000-acre hay and oat farm for a solar energy project, they jumped at the idea, and the prospect of receiving regular rent checks. They did not anticipate the blowback – snarky texts, phone calls from neighbors, and county meetings where support for solar was scant. Critics said the project would remove too much land from agricultural production in central Washington. If approved . . . Complete story »
Energy boost: Yakima County could soon use sun, wind to its advantage
YAKIMA, Wash. – Yakima County is known for a wide variety of products. There’s apples, cherries, mint, hops and asparagus, as well as some campers and CubCrafters aircraft. One thing that doesn’t get produced in large quantities here is electricity. Yakima County’s neighbors, Klickitat and Kittitas counties, are home to wind farms that dot the ridges, while The Dalles Dam spans the Columbia River, generating electrical power as the water flows through its powerhouse. But Yakima County does not have any . . . Complete story »
Energy sprawl threatens Kittitas County tourism
Kittitas County has an award-winning tourism sector. Yet the county will struggle to reap the benefits of recent investments when the state’s energy siting council approves its fourth energy project in the Kittitas valley just north of downtown Ellensburg. A French multinational corporation just asked the council to approve 31 giant turbines. At almost 500 feet, nearly as tall as Seattle’s Space Needle, these will be the tallest seen on U.S. soil. Spanning 4,400 acres along Highway 97, this energy . . . Complete story »
