FSEC project updates: Austria Solar nears full generation; staff report wildlife, litigation, budget and rulemaking items
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Summary
At its March 18 meeting, FSEC members heard construction and compliance updates on Austria Solar (BPA testing pending), wildlife mitigation and pronghorn collaring at Horse Heaven, litigation status on Carriger, and agency updates on the state budget, Executive Order 25‑11 acceleration efforts and rulemaking timelines.
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council heard a series of project and agency updates on March 18, including a report that Austria Solar is close to full generation pending Bonneville Power Administration testing, approval of wildlife preconstruction plans for Horse Heaven, and next steps on several other siting reviews and rulemakings.
John Volts of Cypress Creek Renewables told the council that major construction at Austria Solar is complete and that BPA has begun utility testing. "They have now a certain timeframe to review those results and upon approval, we would be granted the ability to remove the curtailment limit of, I think we're at 6 megawatt generation during the trial operations," Volts said, adding that the project expects full generation by the end of the month or early April but will remain under the site certification agreement until final testing and vegetation restoration are complete.
On wildlife and mitigation, Amy Moon said FSEC staff reviewed and the acting executive director approved preconstruction survey plans and mitigation monitoring plans for multiple species at the Horse Heaven project. Moon said the certificate holder requested removal of three black walnut trees where tree disturbance could not be avoided; staff said replacement in kind will be required and details will be included in a revised wildlife and habitat mitigation plan. She also reported that two pronghorn collaring events on Feb. 27 and March 13 resulted in 17 pronghorn being collared and tracked by GPS.
Joanne Snarski updated the council on the Goldeneye battery energy storage proposal in Skagit County and said staff had received a letter from the Upper Skagit Tribe raising ongoing concerns with the project location. Snarski also provided a litigation update for the Carriger (Karajar) Solar project: judicial review involving the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation has slowed applicant progress, and Assistant Attorney General John Thompson said staff must transmit the agency record and index to Thurston County Superior Court and may file motions to seal confidential records.
John Barnes said Columbia Solar expects to submit a formal transfer request and that staff will schedule an informational meeting on any amendment request; staff will then prepare documents to support council action and public comment prior to any vote. Barnes also reported that for Hop Hill, staff and the Department of Ecology plan an April site visit to verify wetlands and waters delineation reports required for a SEPA determination.
Interim Director Dave Walker introduced new contracts and fiscal staff member Gina Young and updated the council on the state budget situation: the legislature sent a budget bill to the governor and earlier expectations of a 15% reduction to general funds were greatly diminished as the session concluded; a signed budget was not yet available. Walker also briefed the council on FSEC's work under Executive Order 25‑11 to identify projects that could meet federal tax‑incentive requirements if operational by December 2029.
Legislative and policy manager Lisa McLean reviewed SHB 2496, legislation the council tracked that (if signed by the governor) will allow the full council to meet with a tribal council at the tribe's request as part of government‑to‑government consultation without constituting a meeting under the Open Public Meetings Act so long as there is no deliberation between council members and no commitments are made; the bill also requires that any summary of such consultation be provided to the tribe 30 days in advance for review and corrections.
The council adopted the meeting agenda and later adopted the February minutes as amended. The minutes adoption was approved by voice vote with one recorded abstention by Kate Dean. Chair Beckett adjourned the meeting at 02:22.
