Whistling Ridge

A Dubious Precedent

rkahn — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:32:58 +0000

The state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, in recommending approval of the application for Skamania County’s first wind power project, handed the applicant…what the legal profession terms a Hobson’s choice: Freedom to make a choice where no meaningful choice exists, such as an option between being hanged or going before a firing squad.

A serious problem with the Site Evaluation Council’s first-ever ruling on a wind energy project…is that it extends National Scenic Area regulation of scenic resources to a project that is consistent with Skamania County’s land use ordinance, and which lies wholly outside the NSA boundary. But because 15 of those turbines would break the skyline and be visible from various locations in and outside the NSA – to the point where no mitigation is possible – the seven-member council did what many deliberative bodies might do when confronted with its own Hobson’s choice: it reached a compromise, one that members said balanced a public interest in protecting valuable scenic resources against a public interest in bringing new energy facilities on line…

Whether you agree there’s a need for more wind-generated power or green-energy projects in the Gorge or not, or whether you agree Whistling Ridge is a good project or think it’s just in a bad location, you have to agree that the Site Evaluation Council – though its intentions were good – over-reached in applying NSA standards to part of a permissible project that falls outside the NSA boundary

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Site Council OKs Whistling Ridge Wind Project

rkahn — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:28:02 +0000

The state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council last Thursday recommended approval of the proposed 75-megawatt Whistling Ridge Energy Project in southeastern Skamania County – with a 30 percent reduction in the number of wind turbines because of scenic impacts.

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EFSEC’s Final Meeting on Whistling Ridge

rkahn — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:12:13 +0000

EFSEC has released the date of their final meeting to discuss Whistling Ridge and make a recommendation to Governor Gregoire. Public comment is not permitted, but attendance is welcomed. You can read the full announcement here.

When: October 6, 2011
Where: Rock Creek Center, Stevenson, WA

The meeting will start at 2pm, then the Council will break for dinner, and reconvene at 6pm to make their recommendation.

Final Environmental Impact Statement Released

rkahn — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:47:32 +0000

The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Whistling Ridge. It can be viewed online here, or in person at any of the following:

WSU Library – Joel Pritchard Library
Stevenson Community Library
North Bonneville Community Library
EFSEC
White Salmon Valley Library

Click here for more information

Responses to Scenery Stealers (an Op-Ed in The Oregonian)

rkahn — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 20:36:41 +0000

The battle continues on for advocates for renewable, safe wind energy that is in the peripheral vision of a photographer in the Columbia River Gorge. To view an excerpt from the article and comments click here.

Columbia River Gorge Balancing Act

rkahn — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 17:44:20 +0000

An article in The Columbian describing the Gorge Scenic Act and its influence on the surrounding areas.

Wind Energy is Smart Choice for Area

rkahn — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 19:54:26 +0000

“The Whistling Ridge Wind Energy Project in eastern Skamania County represents the decision of the Gorge community at large to embrace a clean energy future and diversify the economic base. I live in this community and support this project.”

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Energy Opponents Need Broader View

rkahn — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 21:49:16 +0000

“The Whistling Ridge Wind Energy Project, proposed adjacent to the Skamania and Klickitat county lines, seems like a good idea to address our energy needs. Many NIMBY (“Not in My Backyard!”) opponents claim, noise, visibility, and scenic reasons not to have it. Some people find the turbines visually pleasing.”

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Wind Energy Comics

rkahn — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 19:24:53 +0000

WindWorks! Northwest, a wind power advocacy group, has released a comic strip called “Where the Wind Blows. It’s first four strips are posted here. Funny and true!

Wind Energy Letters like Alien Voices

rkahn — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 18:36:06 +0000

One wind energy supporter defends himself against those who call him “ignorant” for doing so. Here is the Letter to the Editor.