A new hydroelectric project in Goldendale threatens the Columbia River and its wildlife, is fiscally irresponsible and disregards the Yakama Nation’s treaty rights.
Tell Ecology: Deny this 401 Permit!
By Margie Van Cleve, Conservation Chair - WA Chapter Sierra Club
Sierra Club opposes a proposed new large-scale “pump-storage” hydroelectric development along the Columbia River near Goldendale, WA because of its demands on Columbia River waters, impacts to fish and wildlife, and disregard for Yakama Nation treaty rights and cultural resources. Pump-storage projects are considered a form of clean energy, but like all hydropower projects, can create a whole range of other environmental and cultural harms depending on siting.
We must build out a clean energy system to fight the impacts of climate change, but we must do so in a just and equitable way. We cannot violate tribal treaty rights in our quest for clean energy. So while Sierra Club does not oppose pump-storage projects, per se, we cannot and do not support this one as proposed.
Act today to tell the Washington Department of Ecology to deny this destructive project.
This project, proposed by Rye Development, would be the largest pump-storage hydroelectric facility in the Pacific Northwest. Water in an upper reservoir spins through hydropower turbines and falls into a lower reservoir when electricity demand is high and can be sold at peak prices. Later, when demand and electricity costs have gone down, the water is pumped back uphill again. There is no net gain in electricity from this. It’s just a matter of timing when the electricity is generated.
Rye Development calls this a “closed loop” system and yet it will require as much as 2.93 billion gallons of Columbia River water initially, and as much as 1.2 million gallons each year to make up for water lost through evaporation and leakage.
Similar projects at this exact site have been denied in the past because state and federal agencies have raised substantial concerns about this project’s impacts to golden eagles, bald eagles, prairie falcons, other fish and wildlife species, and aquatic habitats.
Furthermore, an independent economic analysis by Rocky Mountain Econometrics of costs and electricity markets indicates that this project is “unlikely to operate profitably” thus creating even greater risks in the case of bankruptcy.
However, the Sierra Club’s largest concerns lie with the violation of Northwest Tribal Nations cultural heritage and resources. It is not enough to consult with tribal nations; they must also be listened to. Only the Northwest Tribal Nations can determine what is significant to the tribe, we must respect their treaty rights and avoid siting clean energy projects in places of cultural significance.
This is the first in a long line of permits this project will need to obtain. We will keep you informed of ways you can help to ensure tribal treaty rights and our environment is protected.