Abstract
The Kittitas County Commission opposed the wind power project due to local citizen opposition that feared the 350–410 feet tall turbines would obstruct the scenic beauty of the landscape, drive property values down, and lead to adverse wildlife impacts. However, regardless of local opposition to the proposed project, then Governor Gregoire supported the development of the wind park citing the 2006 citizen initiative establishing that 15% of all electricity used by major utilities comes from renewable sources by 2020. The Washington Facility Site Evaluation Council also supported the development of the wind farm and ultimately decided to overrule the county commission and local opposition groups. The case for development was based on environmental considerations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, even if there were some local externalities.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
Kittitas County was especially concerned about rural lands. In 2007, they were still working on having a designated land area in the east side of the county that would be compatible for wind farm development. The new zone, according to County Planner Joanna Valencia, “would not replace the existing county wind farm resource overlay zone ordinance that now allows wind power developers to attempt to gain project approvals for nearly any rural area of the county. Wind farms proposed in that zone could take advantage of an alternative approval process. A variety of environmental studies will be required, along with approval of a site plan and development agreement from county commissioners. Hearings, however, would only be before the commissioners and not the state” (Johnston 2007).
References
Cappiello, D. (2013, November 22). Wind energy company pleads guilty to eagle deaths. The San Diego Tribune. http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-wind-energy-company-pleads-guilty-to-eagle-deaths-2013nov22-story.html. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Cornwall, W. (2007a, June 26). An ugly battle over clean power. Seattle Times. http://www.seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2003762626_wind26m.html
Cornwall, W. (2007b, September 19). Gregoire approves wind-power project. Seattle Times. http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/gregoire-approves-wind-power-project/
Electric Energy Online. (2008, April 11). Desert claim wind power will ask EFSEC to pre-empt Kittitas County and recommend approval of wind farm to power nearly 60,000 homes. Electric Energy Online. http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&id=65755
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. (2004). Applicant’s request for preemption. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/kittitaswind/preemption/Preemption%20Request.pdf Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. (2006). Applicant’s second request for preemption. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/kittitaswind/preemption/Exhibits%201/KV%20Second%20Request%20for%20Preemption.pdf. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. (2007a). Chapter 1: Summary. Olympia: Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/Tesoro%20Savage/SEPA%20-%20DEIS/DEIS%20PAGE.shtml. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. (2007b). Council Order 826: Findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order recommending approval of site certification on condition. Olympia, WA: Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/kittitaswind/Recommendation%20to%20Governor%205-2-07/Letter%20to%20Governor%20stamped%20received%205-2-07.pdf. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. (2007c). Council Order 827: Order on motions for reconsideration of order 826 by Kittitas County, and Mr. Ed Garrett and Ms. Rosemary Monaghan. Olympia: Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/FILES/orders/827.pdf. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. (2007d). Council order 831: Order on remand letter from Governor Gregoire modifying the draft site certification agreement accompanying Order No. 826. Olympia: Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/kittitaswind.shtml. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. (2007e). EFSEC recommends governor approve Kittitas Valley wind power project. Olympia: Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/kittitaswind.shtml. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. (2007f). Fact sheet. Olympia: Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/kittitaswind.shtml. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. (2007g). Introduction. Olympia: Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/kittitaswind.shtml. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. (2007h). Site certification agreement between the State of Washington and Sagebrush power partners, LLC, for the Kittitas Valley wind power project. Olympia: Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/kittitaswind.shtml. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. (2007i) Special afternoon meeting. Olympia: Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/kittitaswind/Remand%207-07/Order%20831.pdf. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. (2007j). Special evening meeting. Olympia: Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/default.shtm. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. (2008). EFSEC recommends the governor approve the Kittitas Valley wind power project. Olympia: Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/kittitaswind.shtml. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. (2009). Resolution 328. Olympia: Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/kittitaswind/09%20Amend/Res%20328.pdf. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. (2012). Monthly council meeting. Olympia: Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/FILES/minutes/2012/5-22-12%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. (2013). Homepage. Olympia: Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/default.shtm. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Garret, E., & Monaghan, R. (2007, April 6). Reconsideration document for KVWPP. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/kittitaswind.shtml. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Gregoire, C.O. (2007a). Response to Kittitas Valley wind power project EFSEC recommendation letter. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/kittitaswind.shtml. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Gregoire, C.O. (2007b, August 14). Kittitas Valley wind power project, EFSEC recommendation letter. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/kittitaswind.shtml. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Horizon Wind Energy. (2008, November 20). Washington State Supreme Court upholds EFSEC permit for Kittitas Valley wind power project. PR Newswire. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/washington-state-supreme-court-upholds-efsec-permit-for-kittitas-valley-wind-power-project-65496647.html. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Howard, J. (2007, October 11). Decision on wind farm sets a dangerous precedent. Seattle Times. http://www.seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2003940563_windfarm11.html
Johnston, M. (2007, May 4). Gregoire to decide on Kittitas Valley wind farm project. The Wenatchee World. http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2007/may/04/gregoire-to-decide-on-kittitas-valley-wind-farm/. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Johnston, M. (2009, January 26). No KVWPP wind farm this year. Daily Record. http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2009/01/24/news/doc497a64257246c260169237.txt. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Johnston, M. (2011, April 6). At Kittitas Valley project, turbines don’t always turn. Daily Record. http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/at-kittitas-valley-project-turbines-don-t-always-turn/article_1342474-6077-11e0-9730-001cc4c002e0.html. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners. (2006). Resolution 2006–90. County of Kittitas.
Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners. (2007). Kittitas County’s motion for reconsideration. County of Kittitas.
Mcclymont, K., & O’Hare, P. (2008). We’re not NIMBY’s! Contrasting local protest groups with idealized conceptions of sustainable communities. Local Environment, 13(4), 321–335.
McMahan, T.L., & Anderson, E.L. (2008, December 15). Renewable energy facility siting legislation on the right track. Stole & Rives, LLP. http://www.stoel.com/showarticle.aspx?Show=3454. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
News Tribune (2007). State energy battles are blowing in the wind. The News Tribune. http://www.thenewstribune.com/2007/04/10/v-lite/35154/state-energy-battles-are-blowing.html. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Ohrenschall, M. (2003, July 16). Third major wind farm proposed for central Washington. http://www.bluefish.org/3rdwind.htm. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Pacific Power. (2013). Kittitas Valley wind farm. http://www.pacificpower.net/env/bsre/bses/kvwf.html. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Riley, K. (2007, July 23). Wind-farm storm shouldn’t blow governor off course. Seattle Times. http://www.seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2003799034_riley23.html. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Sands, C., & Sands, T. (2007). Please deny KVWPP and desert claim wind power project. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/896/779/246/. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Schantz, L. (2007). Please deny KVWPP and desert claim wind power project. CTC Farm. www.ctcfarm.com/petition.html. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Seattle Times. (2007a, April 10). Editorial: An inconvenient view. The Seattle Times, April 10. http://www.seattletimes.com/html/editorialsopinion/2003659455_horizoned10.html
Seattle Times. (2007b, July 5). Editorial: Doubtful double-back on state wind power. The Seattle Times. www.seattletimes.com/html/editorialsopinion/2003773636_winded05.html
Shapiro and Associates. (2003). Kittitas Valley wind power project scoping summary. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/kittitaswind/Scoping%20Summary%20web.pdf. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Suzlon. (2015). S88 wind turbine brochure. http://www.suzlon.com/pdf/S88%20product%20brochure.pdf. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
U.S. Department of the Interior. (2016). “Wind energy basics” wind energy development programmatic EIS information center. http://windeis.anl.gov/index.cfm
Wind Power Monthly. (2009, January 1). Local opposition put in its place - fundamental court ruling. Wind Power Monthly. http://www.windpowermonthly.com/article/953391/local-opposition-put-its-place---fundamental-court-ruling. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Wind Works Northwest. (2008). Kittitas County and its NIMBY allies lose big to usurp Washington State’s authority to permit power plants. http://www.wind-works.org/cms/index.php?id=85&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=263&cHash=16ba9e9c55da86a17380aa8d6cb740ef. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Woodward, C. (2008, November 20). Supreme Court upholds Kittitas County wind farm. Seattle Times. http://www.seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2008415591_webwindfarm20m.hhtm
Yakima Herald-Republic. (2007, April 3). Governor should OK revised wind farm. The Yakima Herald-Republic. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/IP2-9640804.html. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Zilkha Renewable Energy. (2003, January 13). Cover Letter. http://www.efsec.wa.gov/kittitaswind/cover%20letter%20final.pdf. Accessed 15 Aug 2016.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Pierce, J.C., Steel, B.S. (2017). Kittitas Valley Wind Power Project. In: Prospects for Alternative Energy Development in the U.S. West . Environmental Challenges and Solutions, vol 8. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53414-5_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53414-5_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-53413-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-53414-5
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)