In a recent government meeting, the Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (FSEC) discussed a significant application for the transfer of water rights related to the Goldwell water source. Sean Green, a representative from FSEC, informed the council that this application is currently under review by the Local Water Conservancy Board. The transfer would allow the project to utilize Goldwell's water rights during both construction and operational phases.

Green emphasized that while the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) does not specifically address the environmental impacts of withdrawing water from Goldwell, it does evaluate similar off-site water sources. He assured the council that using Goldwell would likely result in equivalent environmental impacts, and staff do not foresee any new or increased impacts arising from this transfer.

To ensure thorough analysis, FSEC staff will collaborate with the Department of Ecology to incorporate any necessary updates regarding the Goldwell water rights into the FEIS, either as an addendum or a supplemental document. This process aligns with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requirements for updating environmental assessments.

The meeting also included a discussion on the Horse Heaven Wind Farm, where council members reviewed a proposed draft Site Certification Agreement (SCA) prepared in response to the governor's concerns. After deliberation, a motion was made to approve the revised draft SCA, which resulted in a roll call vote. The outcome was 4 votes in favor and 3 against, indicating a divided opinion among council members.

The council's discussions reflect ongoing efforts to balance environmental considerations with project development needs, as they navigate the complexities of water rights and energy projects in the region.