Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed an agreement Jan. 9 allowing a Canadian company to build what is projected to be the state’s largest solar project on 3,000 acres Benton County sought to preserve for farming.

Inslee, who is about to leave office, said at a legislative preview in Olympia that approving the project was a fitting way for an administration focused on clean energy to go out.

“It was my pleasure as one of my final acts to sign the permit, so we can move forward with this solar project,” he said. “As I leave, I leave with the vision continuing to grow.”

Innergex Renewable Energy will lease farmland in a remote valley 40 miles west of the Tri-Cities. Ranchers who will lease the land say a declining aquifer has made ranching more difficult.

Innergex plans to install 1.3 million solar panels capable of generating up to 470 megawatts, according to planning documents. The solar installation will hook up to Bonneville Power Administration transmission lines.

Benton County opposed the project as a violation of a county law that prohibits large renewable energy projects on land zoned for agriculture.

The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council set aside the county law and recommended Inslee approve the project. The county law doesn’t consider site-specific circumstances, such as the water supply, EFSEC concluded.

EFSEC and Inslee have approved other projects over the objection of counties. Senate and House Republicans have responded with bills to curtail the power of future governors to override local opposition.

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, has introduced legislation that would allow EFSEC to approve projects. The bill stems from the massive Horse Heaven wind and solar project close to the Tri-Cities.

EFSEC recommended the project be downsized to lessen damage to views, wildlife and Yakama Nation tribal culture. Inslee ordered EFSEC to restore the project to the scale proposed by Scout Clean Energy, a Colorado company owned by Brookfield Renewable Partners, a Canadian company.

The process gave the governor too much authority and did not give proper consideration to local concerns, Boehnke said in a press release Jan. 8.

Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, has introduce a bill to require renewable energy projects reviewed by EFSEC also have the approval of counties and tribes.

Minority Republicans have introduced similar legislation in past sessions, but majority Democrats have not advanced the bills.

Innergex operates 89 energy projects in Canada, Chile, France and the U.S., according to its website.