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HEADLINES
We must act now to empower local and rural communities to combat environmental injustice of wind and solar developments
EAST WASHINGTONIAN
By Rep. Mary Dye | Editorial
“The push for wind and solar energy is breaking the spirit of our rural communities, tearing long held friendships and families apart, and stealing the value of our land and wind resources, which will ultimately impoverish our small towns.
I am grateful for the support on my bill from my friends, including the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, Benton County PUD, Downtown Pullman Association, Pullman Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Save the Palouse, Tri-Cities Cares, the Washington Association of Counties, Voices for Rural Action, and the Yakama Nation. Along with them, many individual citizens, such as Sue Lani Madsen with the Washington Rural Environmental Network, signed in and testified both in person and remotely.” READ FULL STORY HERE
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2nd bill filed to limit WA governor’s authority to approve locally opposed wind farms
TRI-CITY HERALD
By Annette Cary | January 18, 2025
“Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, has filed a bill that would require county and tribal approval of recommendations to allow clean energy projects made by the Washington state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council.
House Bill 1188 would not allow the Washington governor to approve recommendations if county commissioners for affected counties or tribes do not support it. If approved by the Legislature and new Gov. Bob Ferguson, the bill would take effect immediately.” READ FULL STORY HERE
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Bill requiring more local say for large wind, solar projects faces gloomy future
THE CENTER SQUARE
By Carleen Johnson | Jan 22, 2025
“There were so many good people that signed in and testified, and I was very pleased that the counties came in in support,” Dye said. “Overall, the message got back to this body loud and clear that the people that are expected to host renewable energy are not being heard.”
Dye said Inslee's handling of the process for authorizing the Horse Heaven Hills project left locals out.
“They’re being disrespected, and they are not considering that we care about our community and our environment, and these projects are not without significant impacts on our community,” she explained. READ FULL STORY HERE
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Washington State House Committee Holds Hearing On Mary Dye Bill On Local Control Of Wind And Solar Energy Projects
DAILYFLY
John Sattgast, WSHR Senior Public Information Officer | January 24, 2025
“Governor Inslee was determined to implement reckless energy policies. He steamrolled over the concerns of our communities and abused the force of government,” said Dye, R-Pomeroy. “His actions proved that unless we change the law, there is no path for citizens to protect their valued places.” READ FULL STORY HERE
“This bill would make sure the voices of the impacted population are respected.
It would also give local governments needed leverage to negotiate with sophisticated, billion-dollar asset management firms that are behind the solar and wind developments,” said Dye.
House committee holds public hearing on Dye bill to return local control to wind and solar energy projects
From January 20, 2025
CONTACT: John Sattgast, Senior Public Information Officer | 360-786-7257
A public hearing was held Monday afternoon in the House Environment and Energy Committee on legislation proposed by Rep. Mary Dye that would ensure local counties and tribes have a greater say in the siting of new wind and solar energy projects in Washington state.
Dye serves as ranking Republican on the committee. She says the bill is in response to a decision made by Gov. Jay Inslee in November to approve the massive 74,600 acre Horse Heavens wind and solar energy project near the Tri-Cities, despite opposition by Benton County, local residents and the Yakama Nation, and concerns from biologists over impacts to ferruginous hawk nests.
“Governor Inslee was determined to implement reckless energy policies. He steamrolled over the concerns of our communities and abused the force of government,” said Dye, R-Pomeroy. “His actions proved that unless we change the law, there is no path for citizens to protect their valued places.”
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council originally made recommendations of a scaled-back wind and solar project last April, taking into account input from community and tribal members. However, Inslee rejected EFSEC’s first recommendation and ordered the council to bring him a new plan, saying the state needs more energy. The EFSEC eventually complied and recommended nearly the entire project, with only a few modifications.
Dye’s House Bill 1188 would not allow Washington’s governor to approve recommendations if county commissioners for affected counties and tribes do not support it,
“This bill would make sure the voices of the impacted population are respected. It would also give local governments needed leverage to negotiate with sophisticated, billion-dollar asset management firms that are behind the solar and wind developments,” said Dye.
The measure would allow the governor to negotiate with local officials for modifications, but counties and tribes would get the final say in the matter.
“This is a bill that would restore citizens’ rights through our local governments. If the county commissions and the tribes say ‘no’ to a wind and/or energy project, the governor would not be able to override that decision under this bill,” added Dye.
Before the public hearing, 85 citizens signed in as supporting the bill, with only 27 against. No action was taken Monday. However, the bill could come up for a committee vote at any time in the near future.