(Pullman, WA) The Whitman County Commissioners will take public comments on Monday night about their effort to update the county’s regulations governing wind farms.
The commissioners placed a six month moratorium on new commercial wind turbine applications early this month. The move comes as a Portland company is proposing a controversial project for a 45 turbine wind farm near Kamiak Butte North of Pullman. Steelhead Americas hadn’t applied for their project with the county by the time the board issued the moratorium. A large coalition of local residents called Save the Palouse has come together to oppose the wind farm near the National Natural Landmark.
The moratorium requires the commissioners to conduct a public hearing to take citizen comments about updating the regulations on wind turbines. That will happen Monday night starting at 5:30 in the Public Service Building on Main Street in Colfax. The hearing will also be streamed online to allow for remote participation here https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7336328211#success Comments can also be submitted before the hearing by noon on Monday via email at commissioners@whitmancounty.gov
The commissioners will use Monday’s public input to craft direction to the county’s planning commission to update wind turbine regulations. The planning commission will then update the rules which will also involve additional public comment. The planning commission will recommend regulation updates to the county commissioners for consideration of final approval.