FSEC grants 12‑month extension for Badger Mountain solar application through July 31, 2026

The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council voted to grant a 12‑month extension through July 31, 2026 for the Badger Mountain solar site certification review after hearing from staff and public commenters. Joanne Snarski, FSEC siting specialist, said Avangrid requested the extension citing site control, federal regulatory uncertainty, tax changes and other policy concerns. Staff opened an extension‑specific public comment period and received 18 comments, including letters from the Yakama Nation and the Colville Confederated Tribes, conservation organizations and local residents, most urging denial of an extension and raising concerns about traditional cultural properties and habitat impacts. FSEC legal counsel John Thompson explained that Revised Code of Washington 80.50.100 directs FSEC to make recommendations to the governor within 12 months of a complete application or within a longer period mutually agreed to by the council and the applicant. Thompson said state law provides flexibility on extensions and that denial of an applicant’s extension request would not prevent the applicant from filing again; the council would then have to rerun some preliminary administrative steps. Councilor Nate Pamplin moved to grant the 12‑month extension; Councilor Glenn Young seconded. The council called the question and approved the extension (recorded vote: motion approved). Staff clarified the extension was intended to run through July 31, 2026 and that staff will need site access for field studies if and when the project resumes work; many SEPA‑required studies remain outstanding. Staff also said they will revalidate prior documents and identify whether previously completed studies must be updated when the application resumes active review. Staff noted the extension request was provided to the council with a July 30 checkpoint; the council’s action formalized a 12‑month period to July 31, 2026.