| Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
Wind Power News: Washington
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational mission 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. The original articles, links to which are provided, may have additional links and photos and other media that were not included here.
States sue Trump administration over federal roadblocks on wind energy, citing economic harm and climate goals
A coalition of state attorneys general filed a lawsuit Monday against President Donald Trump’s attempt to stop the development of wind energy. Attorneys general from 17 states and Washington, D.C., are challenging an executive order Trump signed during his first day in office, pausing approvals, permits and loans for all wind energy projects both onshore and offshore. They say Trump doesn’t have the authority to unilaterally shut down the permitting process, and he’s jeopardizing development of a power source critical . . . Complete story »
Whitman County halts new wind farms with extended moratorium
Whitman County Commissioners approved an ordinance on Monday to strengthen their moratorium on new commercial wind farms. This potentially extends the timeline for a proposed controversial wind farm between Colfax and Palouse further than expected. In January, commissioners approved a six-month moratorium on new wind turbines to allow the Whitman County planning commission time to update the rules governing wind farms. This came after a petition and requests from some members of the public to amend the county’s code as . . . Complete story »
Second bill filed to limit Washington governor’s authority to approve new wind & solar projects
A second bill has been filed that is intended to reduce the governor’s authority to approve new wind and solar energy projects across Washington. Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, has filed a bill that would require county and tribal approval of recommendations to allow clean energy projects made by the Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. House Bill 1188 would not allow the Washington governor to approve recommendations if county commissioners for affected counties or tribes do not support it. If . . . Complete story »
Whitman County Commissioners issue moratorium on wind energy projects
Members of a community group opposed to plans for a large wind farm project near Kamiak Butte in Whitman County are celebrating a decision this week by county commissioners to place a moratorium on new commercial wind turbines. Commissioners cited the need to update regulations on wind energy projects. Save the Palouse, a nonprofit organization formed in opposition to the project, posted news of the six-month moratorium on social media. “This is a huge step in the right direction, and . . . Complete story »
3 lawsuits claim Inslee, regulators sidestepped state law to approve Eastern WA wind farm
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and the state agency responsible for authorizing energy projects overstepped state law when they approved a controversial energy project south of Kennewick, allege three new lawsuits. Benton County, Tri-Cities CARES and the Yakama Nation followed up on their November promises to sue to curtail Scout Clean Energy from developing a massive wind, solar and battery farm along a 24-mile stretch of the Horse Heaven Hills. Separate suits filed in Thurston County Superior Court ask a judge . . . Complete story »
Opponents race to stop deal for ‘largest clean energy project in Washington history’
Scout Clean Energy has taken a major step toward building a controversial wind farm along the Horse Heaven Hills south of Kennewick. Scout, which is owned by a Canadian investment firm, announced Thursday it signed the site certification agreement for the Horse Heaven Clean Energy Center issued by the Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC). Gov. Jay Inslee approved the project and signed the agreement in October. The company plans to build possibly hundreds of wind turbines along a . . . Complete story »
After rejecting restrictions, Gov. Inslee approves huge Horse Heaven wind farm stretching 24 miles; developer wants more
Gov. Jay Inslee has approved Washington state’s largest wind farm to be built along 24 miles of the Horse Heaven Hills just south of the Tri-Cities, the Washington state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council announced Friday afternoon. The approval for the project includes eased turbine restrictions for endangered ferruginous hawks and traditional cultural properties compared to those initially recommended by the council. Inslee’s only regret is that it took years for the final approval of the project, he indicated, and . . . Complete story »
WA EFSEC Order – Whistling Ridge Energy Project is officially dead
Since the creation of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in 1986, few projects have threatened Gorge resources like the controversial Whistling Ridge Energy Project. Status update: 2024 – The state-issued permit for the project expired on March 5, 2022. In 2024, the Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) reviewed two separate requests, one that would have revived and extended the expired permit and another that would have transferred the permit and the project to a new parent . . . Complete story »
Washington tribes seek to halt offshore wind development
More than a dozen tribes are asking the federal government to stop plans for offshore wind farms along Washington’s coast, saying the environmental impacts aren’t being studied well enough. Why it matters: Offshore wind turbines could provide a source of renewable electricity, aiding the fight against climate change. But tribes say the projects may also violate tribal treaty rights, harming shoreline habitat and tribal members’ way of life. Driving the news: The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, which represents 20 Washington . . . Complete story »
Washington clean energy project mired in ‘no man’s land’ amid planning setbacks
The Horse Heaven Clean Energy Center generating wind and solar energy south of the Tri-Cities in southeastern Washington was expected to begin construction in 2021. Three years later, the project is still in the planning phase, with Gov. Jay Inslee most recently sending the proposed site certification agreement back to the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council for reconsideration. Meanwhile, the process has drawn concern from local officials for its potential impact to natural resources in addition to what some perceive . . . Complete story »
