OLYMPIA… The state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) held a special meeting on September 13 to approve the revised site certification agreement for the controversial Horse Heaven Wind Project.
Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, believes the EFSEC’s process to approve the revised site certification agreement (SCA) did not properly account for local concerns and gave the governor too much decision-making power. To correct this, Boehnke plans to introduce a bill for the 2025 legislative session that improves the energy facility site evaluation process by removing the governor from the final stages of approval.
The EFSEC initially recommended project approval with mitigation measures for ferruginous hawk habitat, among other requirements. Gov. Jay Inslee rejected the original proposal and asked the council to reconsider mitigation measures allowing for a larger facility with more turbines. On Friday, the EFSEC sided with Inslee and approved the revised agreement.
“I’ve heard from many Tri-Citians who have concerns about disrupting the habitat of the endangered ferruginous hawk, impeding on lands held sacred by Native Americans, and altering the skyline and scenic beauty of the Horse Heaven area,” Boehnke said. “The EFSEC heard these concerns and agreed to a smaller-scale project and has now reversed course, based on the governor’s request. The concerns of the local community were not heard.”
Boehnke’s proposed legislation will be filed before the 2025 legislative session begins Jan. 13.
The revised SCA for the Horse Heaven Hills project now includes conditions for habitat improvements, changes to mitigation measures that address the impact to ferruginous hawks and creates more safety measures for aerial firefighters when wildland fires are active.
Still, local community members disagree about the effectiveness of the EFSEC’s revisions. And some issues, such as the project’s visual impact on the Tri-Cities community, remain unaddressed.
The amended SCA has been resubmitted to the governor, who will have 60 days to approve or reject the resubmission. If approved, the certification will become binding once the governor and the applicant execute it.
“The governor is a political official and should not be part of this process,” Boehnke said. “I believe the EFSEC is better positioned than the governor – any governor – to review proposed projects objectively. If the bill I will file becomes law, EFSEC would have the final say on project approval and mitigation measures. The governor would not.
“My bill will improve the process based on lessons learned from the Horse Heaven project. It’s prospective in its application and does not interfere with any specific project, including Horse Heaven.”
Information and documents regarding this project can be found at www.efsec.wa.gov/energy-facilities/horse-heaven-wind-project. The revised SCA submitted to the governor is available on the EFSEC website at www.efsec.wa.gov/energy-facilities/horse-heaven-wind-project/horse-heaven-recommendation-and-governors-decision.
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