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EFSEC meets April 15: agenda, minutes approved; multiple project updates and staffing, budget news
Summary
At its April 15 meeting, the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council adopted its agenda and March minutes, received status reports on several solar and transmission projects, introduced a new deputy for siting and compliance, and heard that general fund cuts were averted though Climate Commitment Act funds remain uncertain.
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council convened April 15 with Chair Kurt Beckett presiding and confirmed a quorum before adopting the meeting agenda and approving the March 18 meeting minutes by voice votes.
Developers and EFSEC staff delivered monthly project updates. John Voltz of Cypress Creek Renewables reported that the Ostrich (Ostrya) Solar project has erected its O&M facility and storage warehouse and received a commercial-operation letter from the Bonneville Power Administration, but full generation has not yet begun while remaining commissioning tasks await scheduling. Site specialist Sarah Randolph told the council staff received required SCA (site certification agreement) documents on March 20 — including stormwater and spill-prevention plans — which will enter a 90-day review.
Joanne Snarsky and other siting specialists provided status reports on Klickitat Solar (currently in judicial review involving the Yakama Nation) and the Golden I battery energy storage project (staff coordinating cultural-resources review with tribes). Trevin Taylor gave an update on the Cascade Renewable Transmission project, noting EFSEC finalized a scoping memorandum and plans to open a SEPA register May 1 for a 30-day comment and scoping period.
Staff introduced Keith Kinata as EFSEC’s new deputy for siting and compliance, who began work April 1. On budget matters, staff said prior concerns about a 15% reduction were resolved: the governor’s supplemental restored general funds so EFSEC will not see the earlier-proposed general fund cuts and can proceed with planned hires, though Climate Commitment Act (CCA) funds may face reductions later in the cycle and staff expect more information in the fall.
Council members asked for additional budget reporting and clarification of timelines for biennial budget submissions to OFM; staff said a more concrete update is expected by June–September and offered to provide interim briefings as the request process crystallizes.
The meeting concluded with a tribal consultation policy update and discussion (see separate story on HB 2496 and policy revisions). Chair Beckett adjourned the meeting at 2:14 p.m.
