0:00 → 1:34(1m 34s)
Chair Kathleen Drew called the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council meeting to order for the adjudicative hearing on the Watoma Solar Energy Project and asked Miss Owens to call the roll of council representatives, listing Department of Commerce, Ecology, Fish & Wildlife, Natural Resources, Utilities & Transportation Commission, Benton County and WSDOT.
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council held an adjudicative hearing on Sept. 25, 2024 over the Wautoma/Watoma Solar Energy Project (OAH docket 279466). The applicant asked the council to recommend the governor preempt Benton County land‑use rules so the project can proceed subject to site‑certificate conditions; Benton County urged the council to deny preemption, saying the loss of roughly 2,978 acres of agricultural land during operations is unmitigable. The council took testimony from company witnesses, participating landowners, county planners and regulators and will deliberate after the judge issues draft findings.
