The Wautoma Solar Project, a proposed 470-megawatt solar facility located just outside Yakima County, has received unanimous support from the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) for approval.
The project, which includes a 470 MW battery energy storage system, would be built on 4,573 acres of private land near the intersection of State Routes 24 and 241, approximately 13 miles north of Sunnyside.
Developed by the Canadian company Innergex Renewable Development, the solar panels, power lines, and a new substation will be constructed on land leased from the Robert family, who have operated a ranch on the property since the 1890s. The approval recommendation includes conditions under the State Environmental Protection Act to address tribal, environmental, and recreational concerns, as well as decommissioning requirements.
Despite Benton County officials’ opposition to the location of industrial energy projects on agricultural land, the EFSEC's decision follows a ruling by state administrative law Judge Dan Gerard, who stated that environmental considerations can supersede county zoning laws for large-scale energy projects.
Public appeals against the decision can be filed within 20 days, and the Governor of Washington, either Jay Inslee or his successor Bob Ferguson, has 60 days to approve, reject, or send the decision back to EFSEC for reconsideration.
Innergex will build the capacity in phases, with the entire construction process seen to take between 14 and 16 months. According to the project’s website, the developer will be responsible for 100% of the development, financing, construction and start-up costs, as well as all operational and maintenance costs.
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