As the state’s leading voice for birds, Audubon Washington has been an active participant in the evaluation process surrounding the proposed Horse Heaven Wind Farm project in Benton County. From its inception nearly four years ago, the project faced concerns over its impact on the endangered Ferruginous Hawk and on natural and cultural resources in the area.
Last month, the Horse Heaven Wind Project received final approval from Governor Jay Inslee. The governor’s approval of the project, along with the revised Site Certification Agreement, includes the formation of a Pre-construction Technical Advisory Group to work out further mitigation measures, seeking a project that moves forward in a way that prioritizes both clean energy goals and wildlife conservation. This outcome reflects a growing recognition that climate action and conservation can, and must, go hand in hand.
However, as Governor Inslee himself noted, the process for siting clean energy projects must become more efficient, integrating environmental and cultural considerations early on. This is why Audubon Washington is building support for a “Build-Ready” program that pre-screens potential sites for environmental and cultural values, ensuring projects align with conservation priorities from the outset.
Trina Bayard, Interim Executive Director and Director of Bird Conservation at Audubon Washington, shared her views on this new model for clean energy siting in an article published today in High Country News.
The problem lies with how permitting is currently done: Tribal and public consultation do not happen until well after a project proposal is submitted. “At the end of the day, the Horse Heaven project really shines a light on how our current approach is not working,” said Trina Bayard, director of bird conservation for Audubon Washington. Audubon, tribes and other stakeholders are currently in talks with developers and state officials, pushing for a new approach that requires consultation with tribes and local governments before projects are approved. Instead of having developers submit plans, tribal nations and local governments would establish “build-ready” sites — sites that are pre-vetted for clean energy buildout. “This would flip the current model from a developer-led process to one where the state is collaborating with tribes and local governments,” Bayard said.
Looking ahead, Audubon Washington will continue to advocate for responsible renewable energy development that prioritizes biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, ensuring that our efforts to combat climate change do not come at the expense of the natural world we strive to protect.
Read the full article on High Country News.
