Kittitas Valley Wind Power Project - final recommendation and governor's decision

On March 27, 2007, EFSEC adopted and issued Order No. 826, its recommendation to Governor Christine Gregoire on the Kittitas Valley Wind Power Project. EFSEC delivered the order and the draft site certification agreement (SCA) to the governor on May 2, 2007.

The governor remanded the recommendation in a letter dated June 22, 2007, asking the Council to consider "on this particular project whether additional setbacks beyond the four times height (4xh) requirement for non-participating landowners are achievable while allowing the project to remain economically viable." On August 8, 2007, the Council adopted Order No. 831, modifying the draft SCA to further mitigate and minimize visual impacts, and sent the recommendation on the remand to the governor on August 14, 2007.

On March 27, 2007, we adopted and issued Order No. 826, its recommendation to Governor Christine Gregoire on the Kittitas Valley Wind Power Project, along with the draft site certification agreement (SCA).

The governor remanded the recommendation in a letter dated June 22, 2007, asking our Council to consider "on this particular project whether additional setbacks beyond the four times height (4xh) requirement for non-participating landowners are achievable while allowing the project to remain economically viable." On August 8, 2007, our Council adopted Order No. 831 and a modified draft SCA to further mitigate and minimize visual impacts.

On September 18, 2007, Governor Christine Gregoire signed the final site certification agreement (SCA) with Sagebrush Power Partners, LLC, for the Kittitas Valley Wind Power Project.

On May 29, 2009, Sagebrush Power Partners, LLC, submitted a request to amend the SCA to reduce the number of wind turbines from 65 to 52, along with associated reduction and minimization of environmental impacts, while maintaining the full power generation of the project.

EFSEC received oral and written comments through an informational public hearing held in Ellensburg, WA, on June 23, 2009, and a month-long public comment period. Our SEPA Responsible Official issued a Determination of Nonsignificance on July 23, 2009. Our Council considered an amendment request on August 11, 2009, and adopted Resolution 328 amending the SCA at a special open meeting on September 1, 2009.