Local Issues & Opposition

The Palouse is a region of scenic, rolling hills, natural falls, and some mountains that spreads through parts of southeastern Washington, north-central Idaho, and a bit of Oregon. It offers miles of uninterrupted, colorful scenery that tourists and residents alike enjoy. Some of the species of birds, amphibians, and mammals, are rare or protected, and the existing shrub-steppe habitat is shrinking. Efforts to preserve all of the area’s qualities–from views to living creatures–are a high priority in the region and the state. Much of the land is used for dry farming and livestock grazing, which has wiped out most of the native prairie vegetation. It is estimated that less than one percent of the land is prairie “remnant” patches.

Washington counties of the Palouse are: 

• Spokane
• Whitman
• Columbia 
• Garfield
• Asotin

Washington state municipalities included in the region are:

• Spokane–the seat of Spokane County, home to Gonzaga University and Whitworth University. It is the largest city in eastern Washington.
• Spokane Valley
• Cheney
• Liberty Lake
• Colfax–the seat of Whitman County
• Pullman–the largest city in Whitman County
• Dayton–the seat of Columbia County
• Pomeroy–the seat of Garfield County
• Asotin–also the seat of Asotin County
• Clarkston

Eastern Washington is a largely republican area, with pockets of blue in Pullman and Walla Walla. The blue areas are partially due to both the students and teaching staff of the colleges and universities, and to some degree, government staff. 

ESHB 1173, a bill to mitigate light pollution by mandating the use of an aircraft detection lighting system, passed 96-1 out of the Washington State House on Feb 27, 2023. It was sponsored by Rep. April Connors (R, 8th District, Tri-Cities). Bill Analysis

Gov. Jay Inslee, is proposing a bill that would speed up permitting for high-capacity transmission projects, placing them under the oversight of the state’s Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. Jan 25, 2023 States Reimagine Power Grids for Wind and Solar Future | The Pew Charitable Trusts

 Whitman County Wind Projects

Palouse Wind is a 40-acre, 58-turbine wind farm eight miles west of Oakesdale. It began operations in 2013 and generates 105 megawatts of energy, or the equivalent of providing power for 30,000 Avista residential customers

Wind Farms in the Palouse

Hopkins Ridge Wind Farm: Puget Sound Energy (PSE)

Columbia County

Established: 2005

156 MW

87 Turbines

PSE also owns and operates Wild Horse (Kittitas County) and Lower Snake River (Garfield County). Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility and Renewable Energy Center PSE | Visit the Lower Snake River Wind Facility

Renewable Projects Before the EFSEC in Washington State

Cypress Creek Renewables, two 80 MW solar farms, about 1,600 acres each. Environmental statement issued on Yakima County solar projects | Government | yakimaherald.com

While it is anticipated that viewshed will not be an issue for this project, there are two active groups with websites, petitions, and fundraising that are concerned with views in the Columbia basin. Whitman County is considered part of the Columbia Basin, and these groups are likely to turn their attention to the county once they get wind of the project.

Save Our Ridges

An anti-wind (and in some cases solar) blog providing information on how to give feedback on pending projects, links to news stories and petitions, and opinions etc. It is active, with comments as recent as February 2023. It purports to focus on the “panoramic views in the Columbia Basin”. Benton County Public Utility District General Manager Rick Dunn has written opinion pieces against wind energy for the Tri-City Herald that this blog has republished. The group has a facebook page with 789 followers and active posting. Save Our Ridges

Tri-Cities Cares

Organization mobilized against the Horse Heaven Hills wind and solar project. The site is active, urging readers to contact the EFSEC and make public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) by January 31. 2023, and to make public comment at the EFSEC public hearing on February 1, 2023. Members of the Board of Directors of Tri-Cities Cares have commented on the Save Our Ridges blog. They also have an active facebook page with just 79 followers. Tri-Cities C.A.R.E.S. Website

Board of Directors (Tri-cities cares)

• Dave Sharp, Vice President
• Pam Minelli, Secretary
• Karen Brun, Treasurer
• Judy Guse, Communications Director