Application submittal and review
Summary
On February 24, 2026, the current certificate holder, Greenbacker Renewable Energy (GREC), notified us of the sale of the Columbia Solar sites to Altus Power, LLC. The notification set in motion EFSEC actions to authorize the transfer of the site certification agreement to the new owner. We will hold a virtual informational meeting regarding the ownership change directly following the regular June EFSEC Council meeting on June 17, 2026.
Governor Inslee signed and executed the original site certification agreement (SCA) on October 17, 2018, based on a Council recommendation for approval of the project dated August 22, 2018.
The applicant submitted the original application for site certification to develop, construct, and operate the Columbia Solar projects spanning five separate solar array sites on October 16, 2017. TUUSSOO Energy, LLC, submitted an updated application on January 26, 2018.
Description
On October 16, 2017, we received an application for site certification from TUSSSO Energy, LLC, to develop, construct, and operate the Columbia Solar projects spanning five solar array sites. We convened an informational public meeting at the Kittitas Valley Event Center Armory on December 12, 2017.
TUUSSOO Energy, LLC, submitted an updated application on January 26, 2018. On February 12, 2018, the applicant requested to extend the Council's timeline until April 2018 to determine if the project qualified for expedited permitting. On April 17, 2018, our Council granted TUUSSO Energy's request for expedited processing.
On August 22, 2018, we sent a report to Governor Inslee recommending approval of the original site certification agreement (SCA). On October 17, 2018, Governor Inslee signed and executed the SCA.
In July 28, 2021, TUUSSO Energy filed a request to transfer the project to Greenbacker Renewable Energy (GREC), a subsidiary of TUUSSO. The Council issued Amendment 1, Order 880 on September 21, 2021, that included Council approval of the termination of the Typha and Fumaria projects and the transfer of the Penstemon, Camas, and Urtica SCAs to GREC.
On December 17, 2025, GREC sold the Columbia Solar sites to Altus Power, LLC, notifying us of the sale on February 24, 2026. Our regulations, specifically WAC 463-66-100 (link, webpage), require the Council to verify that a new owner has demonstrated that it possesses the organizational, financial, managerial, and technical capability to fulfill the terms of the original SCA. If approved, the Council will authorize amendments to the SCAs to formally record the changes in ownership.
We will hold a virtual informational meeting regarding the ownership change directly following the regular June EFSEC Council meeting on June 17, 2026. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the public, stakeholders, and interested people or organizations to receive information and provide comments on the proposed SCA transfers. For instructions on how to join the meeting, click on this link (link, webpage).