Scout Clean Energy has accused the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council of undercutting its proposed Horse Heaven renewable energy project and the public’s trust in Washington’s resolve to “solve climate change.”

The Boulder, Colo.-based company launched its broadside in a final round of written comments before EFSEC decides whether to recommend the massive wind and solar project to Gov. Jay Inslee and under what conditions.

EFSEC will meet Wednesday and may vote to ask Inslee to approve the project, but prohibit wind turbines within 2 miles and solar panels within one-half mile of occupied and formerly occupied Ferruginous hawk nests.

The requirement was unnecessary because farms and homes already have crowded out the hawks from the rolling hills near the Tri-Cities in southeast Washington, according to a letter signed by Scout President and CEO Michael Rucker.

The letter accused the state Department of Fish and Wildlife of pushing an “aspirational ideology” that would set back not only the Horse Heaven project, but also Washington’s purported commitment to climate action.

“It creates an unpredictable planning environment for future energy developers and undermines the public’s trust that state decision-makers are taking serious steps to solve climate change,” Rucker wrote.

An EFSEC spokesman declined to comment.

Hawk measures disputed

Scout, owned by Brookfield Renewable Partners, based in Toronto, Canada, proposed to erect up to 231 wind turbines and cover more than 5,000 acres, mostly farmland, with solar panels.

The Yakama Nation has argued in documents and meetings closed to the public that the project will destroy or block access to spiritual sites.

Benton County commissioners oppose the conversion of farmland.

A citizens group, Tri-Cities CARES, contends the project will mar the landscape, and Fish and Wildlife has supported measures to preserve habitat for hawks and other wildlife.

To reduce impacts, EFSEC’s seven voting members, four of whom are tied to the Inslee administration, have tentatively agreed to buffers around nests that Scout says would eliminate more than half the project.

The company accuses EFSEC of haphazardly discarding studies conducted over three years in a vain attempt to protect hawk nests that haven’t been occupied for years.

Under the restrictions, it’s impossible, according to Rucker’s letter, to tell whether the project is “even commercially or technically viable.”

Strong-arm tactics

EFSEC’s stance will chill investment in renewable energy projects in Washington, GE Vernona, a spin-off of General Electric, asserted in comments to the council.

GE Verona is a partner in Scout’s project and is “eager to increase our wind turbine footprint in the state to help meet Washington’s admirable clean energy goals,” according to its comments.

The company referred to Inslee talking about climate change on a national ABC broadcast last summer and saying, “The Earth is screaming at us.”

Tri-City CARES attorney Richard Aramburu said Scout and allies are trying to bully EFSEC and influence Inslee, who could direct the council to reconsider the restrictions.

“Presumably, this is all for the consumption of the governor,” Aramburu said.

“It’s an outside company trying to push the people of Washington around,” he said. “It still leaves them with a giant project.”

The project has support from clean-energy advocates and farmers who say lease payments will stabilize their incomes and encourage them to stay in farming.