Washington governor OKs massive new wind farm and urges swift turbine approvals
Briefly

Governor Jay Inslee emphasized the need for swift permitting for the Horse Heaven Wind Farm project, stating, 'Washington state won't meet its urgent clean energy needs if officials take years to authorize the turbines.' His statement reflects the growing urgency for renewable energy solutions in the state in light of rising demands.
Inslee rejected the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council's recommendation to reduce the project, stating instead, 'a technical advisory group would recommend whether to reduce individual nest setbacks to 1 kilometer.' This decision highlights the balancing act between environmental concerns and urgent clean energy needs.
The proposal aims to incorporate up to 222 wind turbines and three solar arrays. Inslee noted, 'Washington's energy demands could nearly double by 2050.' This statistic underscores the pressing need for new renewable energy infrastructure amid environmental challenges.
Despite environmental concerns, Inslee's plan seeks to accommodate both wildlife protection and energy needs, suggesting that 'most nests were empty, but the hawks can return to them years later.' This illustrates the complexity of renewable energy projects in balancing ecological and energy priorities.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
[
|
]