The company aiming to build a 1,150-megawatt wind farm has received state approval for its proposed site in the Horse Heaven Hills, even as Benton County and community leaders threaten litigation to stop the project.
The Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council issued the site certification agreement for Scout Energy’s Horse Heaven Clean Energy Center. The council’s decision comes after outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee gave his approval for the project in October.
Scout Energy officials announced Nov. 21 that they have signed the agreement, ending a multiyear permitting process and moving toward the construction of the largest clean energy project in the state, according to a release.
“This project represents a major step forward in the state’s clean energy transition, bringing sustainable power and economic benefits to communities throughout Washington,” the company said in its release.
The Boulder, Colorado-based Scout Energy said the project will generate an expected 1,000 jobs during construction and contribute more than $250 million in local tax revenues throughout its 35-year operating lifespan. A June 2022 agreement between the project developer and Tri-Cities union crafts ensures that the project will be built with local union labor.
Tri-Cities CARES, a local nonprofit, indicated in an early November message to its supporters that it is considering legal options to halt the wind farm. It is currently raising funds ahead of a Dec. 2 deadline to appeal the council’s decision.
“Filing a lawsuit is the only way to possibly stop or delay the construction of the project or reduce its size to prevent the significant environmental and economic harm this project will cause to the Tri-Cities,” the group’s leaders said in a message to supporters.
On Nov. 19, the Benton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to have the county’s legal counsel draft an appeal to Scout Energy’s site certification. That decision was made following a closed-door session.