(Olympia, WA) A public hearing was held Monday afternoon in the House Environment and Energy Committee on legislation proposed by Rep. Mary Dye that would ensure local counties and tribes have a greater say in the siting of new wind and solar energy projects in Washington state.
Dye serves as ranking Republican on the committee. She says the bill is in response to a decision made by Gov. Jay Inslee in November to approve the massive 74,600 acre Horse Heavens wind and solar energy project near the Tri-Cities, despite opposition by Benton County, local residents and the Yakama Nation, and concerns from biologists over impacts to ferruginous hawk nests.
“Governor Inslee was determined to implement reckless energy policies. He steamrolled over the concerns of our communities and abused the force of government,” said Dye, R-Pomeroy. “His actions proved that unless we change the law, there is no path for citizens to protect their valued places.”
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council originally made recommendations of a scaled-back wind and solar project last April, taking into account input from community and tribal members. However, Inslee rejected EFSEC’s first recommendation and ordered the council to bring him a new plan, saying the state needs more energy. The EFSEC eventually complied and recommended nearly the entire project, with only a few modifications.
Dye’s House Bill 1188 would not allow Washington’s governor to approve recommendations if county commissioners for affected counties and tribes do not support it,
“This bill would make sure the voices of the impacted population are respected. It would also give local governments needed leverage to negotiate with sophisticated, billion-dollar asset management firms that are behind the solar and wind developments,” said Dye.
The measure would allow the governor to negotiate with local officials for modifications, but counties and tribes would get the final say in the matter.
“This is a bill that would restore citizens’ rights through our local governments. If the county commissions and the tribes say ‘no’ to a wind and/or energy project, the governor would not be able to override that decision under this bill,” added Dye.
Before the public hearing, 85 citizens signed in as supporting the bill, with only 27 against. No action was taken Monday. However, the bill could come up for a committee vote at any time in the near future.