FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2025
Pullman, Washington — Save the Palouse, a registered 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, has retained the Law Offices of J. Richard Aramburu PLLC to lead its legal and advocacy efforts against the proposed Harvest Hills Wind project. As part of its ongoing work, the law firm representing Save the Palouse submitted a detailed letter to the Whitman County Board of Commissioners ahead of their January 6 meeting, requesting an immediate delay in approving a proposed reimbursement agreement with Harvest Hills Wind LLC until the newly appointed commissioner for District 3 is seated. The letter also raises significant concerns about the agreement’s terms and its long-term impact on the county and its residents.
Legal costs for this effort are projected to reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, underscoring the scale of the challenge ahead. Save the Palouse is urging residents and supporters to contribute to the legal fund, and offers its thanks to those who have stepped up and donated. Donations will go directly toward legal expenses, public advocacy, and efforts to ensure the region’s natural beauty and heritage are preserved.
Opposition to the Reimbursement Contract
As part of its advocacy, on January 5, 2025, Save the Palouse’s retained law firm submitted a letter to the Whitman County Board of Commissioners requesting an immediate delay on the approval of the reimbursement agreement until the newly appointed commissioner replacing Michael Largent is seated.
The letter also outlines several substantive issues with the agreement that could impose long-term risks on the county and its residents. According to Save the Palouse, moving forward with a binding contract during this transitional period risks undermining public trust and closing the door to a more thoughtful and transparent review.
The Harvest Hills project, which seeks to install over 45 industrial wind turbines near Kamiak Butte, threatens to permanently damage the Palouse’s iconic landscape, disrupt agricultural operations, and destroy the region’s renowned scenic views – while also risking nearby resident’s health, welfare, and property use. Save the Palouse argues that the project is being rushed through under outdated county codes without proper public scrutiny.
Opposition to the Selection of Tetra Tech
In its letter to the Whitman County Board of Commissioners, Save the Palouse strongly opposes the selection of Tetra Tech to manage the environmental review process for the Harvest Hills project. The letter cites multiple legal and procedural concerns, including the lack of a public and competitive selection process, as required by both county codes and state law.
Additionally, the letter highlights Tetra Tech’s extensive history of working on behalf of renewable energy developers in Washington, often in ways that undermine local regulations designed to protect agricultural lands. Save the Palouse argues that appointing a consultant with a clear record of advocating for developers creates a conflict of interest and compromises the integrity of the environmental review process.
The letter urges Whitman County to rescind any approval of Tetra Tech’s selection and initiate an open, transparent bidding process to ensure that the public interest is prioritized.
Additional Concerns Raised in the Letter
The letter further highlights that insufficient time was provided for public review and comment, with notice of the agreement issued during the holiday season. It also notes that critical details about the size and scope of the proposed project were withheld, making it impossible for residents to meaningfully evaluate the proposed agreement. Additionally, concerns are raised about the role of Van Ness Feldman, the county’s current legal counsel, due to their past work representing renewable energy developers, including in Benton County.
In response to these gaps in public protection, Save the Palouse proposes the addition of a Counsel for the Community, modeled after EFSEC’s Counsel for the Environment, to ensure local residents have a dedicated advocate throughout the review process.
How to Support the Legal Fund
Donations to the legal fund can be made online at savethepalouse.org or in person at any Umpqua Bank location by specifying “Save the Palouse.” Every dollar raised will go directly toward legal expenses, public advocacy, and transparency efforts.
This legal effort is part of a broader mission to ensure that the voices of local residents are heard and to preserve the unique character of the Palouse for future generations. The stakes are high, and Save the Palouse is calling on everyone who values the Palouse to stand with them in this fight.
Appendix: Key Concerns Raised by Save the Palouse
The letter submitted by the Law Offices of J. Richard Aramburu PLLC outlines several key issues with the proposed reimbursement agreement. These concerns are summarized below:
- Insufficient Time for Review and Comment
Public notice of the agreement was issued the day after Christmas, leaving insufficient time for residents to review and comment during the holiday season. - No Action Should Be Taken Until All Commissioners Are Seated
With Commissioner Largent set to resign on January 21, 2025, it is essential to delay any decision until his replacement is seated to ensure fair representation for all constituents. - The Agreement Must Include a Complete Description of the Wind Turbine Proposal
The agreement lacks critical details about the size, location, and scope of the wind turbine project, making it impossible to assess the adequacy of proposed reimbursements. - The County’s Proposal to Select Tetra Tech as Consultant Is Contrary to Law
The selection of Tetra Tech to oversee the environmental review process was made without a competitive bidding process, violating both state and county regulations. Furthermore, Tetra Tech’s history of representing developers in other counties raises concerns about impartiality. - Whitman County, Not the Applicant, Should Manage the SEPA Consultant
The proposed agreement allows the developer to manage the SEPA consultant, a role that should be reserved for the county to ensure objective oversight and adherence to regulations. - The Contract Should Remove Provisions That Hinder County Correction of Defective Consultant Work
Burdensome provisions in the agreement limit the county’s ability to correct defective work by the developer’s consultant, creating unnecessary delays and obstacles to ensuring an adequate environmental review. - The County Should Reconsider Its Engagement with Van Ness Feldman as Legal Counsel
Van Ness Feldman, the county’s current legal counsel, has a history of representing renewable energy developers, including in Benton County, where it sought to preempt local regulations. This raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest. - The Cost Reimbursement Contract Should Provide for a Counsel for the Community
To protect local interests, Save the Palouse recommends the appointment of a Counsel for the Community, modeled after EFSEC’s Counsel for the Environment, to advocate for residents during the permitting process.
For a complete list of Save the Palouse’s concerns, please view the attached Letter to Whitman County.
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