NEWS RELEASE: December 4, 2025
On December 2, 2025, Gov. Ferguson approved the Site Certification Agreement (SCA) for the Carriger Solar project in Klickitat County.
In his approval letter to EFSEC Chair Kurt Beckett, Gov. Ferguson stated, "In particular, I find that the Council's draft SCA balances the need for affordable clean energy with mitigation requirements that protect Washington's environment and consider the broader interests of the public.”
In February 2023, the developer, Cypress Creek Renewables LLC, applied for site certification under EFSEC’s expedited process. While the Carriger Solar application met EFSEC’s criteria for expedited processing, additional visual, cultural, and tribal resource impact analyses were required, resulting in extending EFSEC’s application review. On June 25, 2025, the Council voted on its recommendation to the governor to approve the Carriger Solar project application and draft SCA with conditions. Following EFSEC’s delivery of its recommendation, Gov. Ferguson sent a letter to EFSEC on August 22, 2025, directing EFSEC to reconsider certain aspects of its initial recommendation and draft SCA.
On October 21, 2025, the Council voted to approve the revised draft SCA for Carriger Solar, which includes a commitment of funding from the developer to the Yakama Nation for continued Traditional Cultural Property (TCP) research and documentation in the project area.
"We appreciate and respect Gov. Ferguson's thorough review and decision," EFSEC Chair Kurt Beckett said. "We share Governor Ferguson’s commitment to respectful, transparent engagement with all Tribal Nations and look forward to building on this crucial work with his direction.”
The SCA along with all other information and documents regarding the Carriger Solar project can be found at: www.efsec.wa.gov/energy-facilities/carriger-solar