A major clean energy project in Washington State just hit the brakes! Governor Ferguson has put the Carriger Solar project on hold, demanding more consultation with the Yakama Nation regarding their invaluable cultural sites. Is this a necessary pause for respect, or a hurdle for green energy?
Governor Bob Ferguson has temporarily halted the progression of a significant solar farm development in south-central Washington, demanding further engagement with the Yakama Nation regarding the protection of vital cultural resources. This decision underscores a growing emphasis on tribal sovereignty and the careful navigation required when balancing large-scale renewable energy initiatives with indigenous heritage, highlighting a critical point in Washington State Politics.
The controversial Carriger Solar project, envisioned by Cypress Creek Renewables, aims to establish a 160-megawatt solar energy facility near Goldendale, capable of powering over 32,500 homes and including a 63-megawatt battery storage system. Following over two years of public hearings and environmental review, the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) had recommended the project’s approval to the governor, prompting the recent gubernatorial intervention.
Despite acknowledging the urgent need for renewable energy and signaling his eagerness to sign off on an updated agreement, Ferguson stressed the paramount importance of tribal consultation. His Aug. 22 letter emphasized that while the project aligns with state clean energy goals, it cannot proceed without adequately addressing the concerns of the Yakama Nation regarding potential impacts on their traditional cultural resources.
The governor’s move is particularly strategic, as he also expressed a desire for the project to advance swiftly enough for its developers to secure federal clean energy tax credits, which are slated to expire in 2026. However, Gerald Lewis, Chairman of the Yakama Nation Tribal Council, had previously articulated strong objections, stating that the consultation process had not been a “true government-to-government consultation” and that initial conditions were insufficient to mitigate harm to their properties.
Lewis argued that the initial conditions imposed by EFSEC, which included measures such as pushing fences and solar panels farther from certain state routes and adjacent Department of Natural Resources parcels, along with additional natural screening, were clearly deemed inadequate by the Yakama Nation. He advocated for the project’s rejection until these significant concerns were properly addressed, making the Project Delay a critical window for resolution.
Governor Ferguson has not mandated specific changes to the project but has called for due consideration of any new input from the Yakama Nation, instructing the council to account for this input “as appropriate.” Furthermore, he plans to undertake a broader review of the siting council’s policies and practices concerning tribal consultation, indicating a potential for systemic changes in how such large-scale developments are evaluated going forward.
This incident echoes a similar situation in May 2024, when former Governor Jay Inslee rejected an initial recommendation for the Horse Heaven wind and solar project, citing concerns over tribal cultural resources and endangered hawks. Such precedents highlight a growing gubernatorial trend towards more rigorous oversight of large energy projects and their socio-environmental impacts, ensuring a more holistic approach to development.
