TC Cares, the group leading the primary opposition to the controversial Horse Heaven Hills Wind Farm, has released information indicating Scout Energy of Colorado has pulled some ‘fast’ ones with latest proposal.
Scout Energy Changed the Height of the Towers Dramatically
It took months and months to get Scout to release every specific detail of the project, they pushed for approval before the Tri-City community even knew how big it was. The proposal, rammed through by former Governor Jay Inslee (as much as he could influence the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council or EFSEC), has changed more than a chameleon.
Now, Scout has Proposed 116 Turbines Taller than the Space Needle
The original towers were to be 499 feet, now they want 116 turbines that are 671 feet, which is 66 feet taller than the Space Needle in Seattle. Also, Scout moved the location of four of them to the north side of Johnson Butte, which was not in the original plan studied by EFSEC. Those four will loom down over the top of new housing developments in the area.
Also according to TC Cares, Scout has made significant changes to other parts of the proposal including:
“Changes in transmissions lines: such as a new 230 kv transmission line and switchyard added east of HW-395, a new switchyard in the central part of the project with an above ground transmission line (which was to be underground) running close to the southern project boundary to Bofer Canyon and crossing I-82 overhead at Beck Road.”
What Can You Do?
TC Cares is preparing the necessary legal paperwork, again, to fight against these latest moves, and along with Benton County and the Yakama Nation, keep pushing back.
Citizens can leave comments about the project in general, and these changes by clicking here. There is a public comment period, and TC Cares encourages citizens to get involved. To support the efforts of this not-for-profit entity, click here.