The developer of a proposed wind farm near Kamiak Butte, Steelhead Americas, is considering seeking state approval for the project after encountering significant opposition from some local residents. The company aims to construct a 45-turbine wind farm on 15,000 acres of privately leased land.

In January, the Whitman County Commissioners implemented a six-month moratorium on new commercial wind turbines, allowing the planning commission time to revise regulations regarding wind farms. A recent meeting held by the planning commission in Colfax saw tensions rise, leading to a verbal confrontation between supporters and opponents of the project.

Steelhead Americas communicated with the county commissioners, expressing concerns about hostility towards landowners involved in the project, highlighting incidents of intimidation during the planning meeting. The developers assert that such behavior does not represent the majority viewpoint in the county and has hindered support for the wind farm. They also pointed out that the lack of guidance from the county commissioners has allowed opponents to dominate discussions against renewable energy initiatives.

Due to safety concerns, Steelhead Americas announced that they would no longer attend planning meetings in person. They have initiated the pre-application process with the Washington Energy Facilities Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC), which allows developers to seek approval for green energy projects at the state level, bypassing local oversight.

Whitman County Commissioner Chairman Tom Handy responded to the situation, acknowledging the embarrassing nature of the hostility witnessed at the planning meeting. He assured that security measures would be implemented at future meetings to ensure orderly proceedings. Handy also indicated that the planning commission would convene twice monthly to expedite the wind farm code update process and that a sheriff’s deputy would be present at future meetings.

The proposed wind farm, known as Harvest Hills, has faced strong opposition from a coalition of local residents called Save the Palouse. It is important to note that the region surrounding Kamiak Butte is designated as a National Natural Landmark. The updated regulations will ultimately be submitted to the county commissioners for final approval.