Washington state officials are recommending that Scout Clean Energy's 600MW Horse Heaven wind project be almost halved in size because of endangered ferruginous hawks, wildlife corridors and visual impacts.
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) has yet to take a final vote on the project, but it recently agreed that the $1.7-billion, 222-turbine project be severely cut back. After a likely 60 days of public comment, the council will take a final vote and then the application will go to governor Jay Inslee for a final decision.
Scout Clean Energy, which could not be reached for comment, has told the EFSEC that too many restrictions would kill the project.
The restrictions "are unsupported by scientific or any other evidence in the record and would render the project both technically and economically nonviable without substantial amendment to the application," Scout president and CEO Michael Rucker wrote to the council.
The project, in the state's south-eastern desert, would be the largest in the state. Horse Heaven would include solar panels and battery storage for a total installed capacity of 1GW.
Washington is seeking to cut carbon emissions by 45% from 1990 levels by 2030 according to the Climate Commitment Act of 2021, legislation that was backed by Inslee, a Democrat.
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