TOPPENISH, Wash. – The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation appealed Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s approval of the Horse Heaven Hills Wind and Solar Project, which would build a new wind farm on what the Nation says is in a “significant location to the Yakama People.”
Gov. Inslee and the Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) approved a revised plan for the project on Oct. 18 after the governor rejected a slimmed-down version earlier in 2024.
“We are deeply concerned that the Governor has approved this project despite the well-established impacts that it will have on our sacred sites and Treaty-protected resources,” said Yakama Nation Tribal Council Chairman Gerald Lewis. “Renewable energy development is an important solution to our energy crisis, but it cannot be developed at the expense of our land, our water, our wildlife, and our sacred places.”
A Yakama Nation press release alleges that Gov. Inslee’s approval of the project directly and negatively impacts treaty-reserved resources and sacred sites.
“Tribes and the State of Washington can work together to define a new energy future for the State of Washington, but that collaborative journey must start with EFSEC and the Governor opening their eyes and hearts to more than just the energy developers’ interests in this State,” said Lewis.
Other concerns were taken into consideration that made it into the final plan, including EFSEC’s recommendation to halve the proposal to protect the nests of endangered ferruginous hawks. In October, Gov. Inslee approved a compromise that gives each nest a one-kilometer buffer and only cut 30 turbines from the plan.
