County OKs stringent wind turbine rules

COLFAX - Whitman County Commissioners approved a restrictive code on future commercial wind energy projects during a March 2 meeting.

The commissioners chambers was packed with people wanting to speak both for and against the proposed stringent new rules.

The revised code comes in response to a controversial, commercial wind turbine project.

Harvest Hills Wind plans to construct a turbine "farm" near Kamiak Butte.

During the meeting, opponents of the new rules said they would potentially make it impossible for any future wind farms to exist in the county.

Courtney Krause spoke on behalf of the existing Palouse Wind Farm near Oakesdale.

The code, as written, may impact that commercial development, she said.

"It would undermine the existing contracts and the existing conditional-use permit," she said.

She asked commissioners to clarify the code's impact on that developments.

Another Palouse Wind representative called the code a "poison pill."

Whitman County Planning Commission member Julian Matthews suggested the rules be sent back to his board for revision.

"They'll go to the state," he said. "The state will roll over Whitman County."

State law provides commercial developers a possible end run around local opposition and local government rules.

As presented, the code has a lot of arbitrary determinations including setbacks and view, he said.

"People say it doesn't stop wind power in Whitman County," he said. "It does."

Whitman Planning Commission Chairman Dave Gibney claimed the rules, as written, could prohibit commercial wind developments countywide.

Those in favor

However, many of the speakers were in favor of the new stringent rules.

Not-for-profit Save the Palouse member Tom Thompson rejected claims the code prohibits wind developments.

"It does give reasonable protection to the residents and our treasured areas," he said.

Thompson asked commissioners to consider residents fighting for their homes and their way of life.

"This code does not prohibit wind in this county whatsoever," he said, adding 83% of the county remains open for development outside of the protected areas of Kamiak Butte.

Colfax resident Carol Black encouraged commissioners to pass the code so she does not have to sell her home and leave the county.

"We need to pass the revised ordinance now," she said, adding it could be tweaked as officials continue working on ordinances for solar developments and batter storage.

Marsha McNanny said not many in the crowd are opposed to wind energy. Rather, she suggested residents don't understand why commercial turbines should be erected near residential areas or Kamiak Butte.

"We need to look at the future and what we're leaving our kids," she said.

Whitman County Planning Commissioner Bill Myers also spoke in favor of the revised code.

"Vote for this code," he said. "It's balanced, it's fair."

Harvest Hills

The Harvest Hills team made a statement following the decision to approve the new energy rules.

Lead Developer Shane Roche said Steelhead American, the corporation behind the development, remains committed to developing the project in Whitman County.

"Our confidence stems from our strong track record developing successful wind projects," he said.

Roche said the revised commercial wind energy ordinance eliminates the possibility of locally permitted wind energy projects.

He vowed to take the corporation's plan to the state Energy Facilities Site Evaluation Council.

"The State Energy Facilities Site Evaluation Council remains a viable path for Harvest Hills to obtain project approval," he said.

The council in Olympia has already intervened in at least one wind development opposed by residents east of the Cascades.

The board circumvented local opposition to the massive Horse Heaven Wind Project in Benton County.

Horse Heaven was then approved by former Gov. Jay Inslee in October 2024. As a result, that project is currently in the permit phase,