Gov. Jay Inslee has approved Washington state’s largest wind farm to be built along 24 miles of the Horse Heaven Hills just south of the Tri-Cities, the Washington state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council announced Friday afternoon.
The approval for the project includes eased turbine restrictions for endangered ferruginous hawks and traditional cultural properties compared to those initially recommended by the council.
Inslee’s only regret is that it took years for the final approval of the project, he indicated, and told the council to expect him to discuss the matter with it.
The governor sent a letter with his decision on Oct. 18 to the council, and the council gave notice of the decision Friday.
The notice starts a 30 day clock for filing any petitions for judicial review.
Inslee said in the letter that the council had carefully considered the impacts of the project on habitat, wildlife, tribal cultural resources, public safety and visual aesthetics.
The project has been controversial with many in the Tri-Cities and of concern to Yakama Nation. The issues that both raised were thoroughly and adequately responded to by the council, Inslee said.