Sara Randolph
sara.randolph@efsec.wa.gov
Goose Prairie Solar
Bill Sherman
bills5@atg.wa.gov
Project background:
On January 19, 2021 EFSEC received an Application for Site Certification (ASC) from OER (OneEnergy Renewables) WA Solar 1, LLC (the Applicant) proposing the construction and operation of Goose Prairie Solar (GPS). The ASC proposes the construction of an 80 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic project with an option battery storage system located in Yakima County, Washington. According to the ASC the Applicant anticipates beginning commercial operation by the end of 2022.
The Facility will utilize solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to convert energy from the sun into electric power which is then delivered to the electric power grid. The optional battery energy storage system would not exceed the nominal 80 MW capacity of the facility. The optional battery storage system would store power generated by GPS and dispatch it to the electrical grid at a later time. The facility is currently designed to utilize lithium ion battery energy technology. However, pending commercial interest, GPS could be designed to utilize flow battery technology.
Mailing list:
If you would like to be added to the project mailing list, please click here
September 27, 2021
EFSEC’s review process
EFSEC reviews applications for the siting of energy facilities and prepares a recommendation to the governor on whether to approve or reject the application. If EFSEC recommends approval, it prepares a draft site certification agreement that must include conditions to protect state or local governmental or community interests affected by the construction or operation of the energy facility. The draft agreement must also include conditions designed to recognize the purpose of applicable state and local laws and ordinances, which are preempted to the extent that they regulate the location, construction, and operation of energy facilities under EFSEC’s jurisdiction. If signed by the governor and the applicant, the site certification agreement is binding.
The Applicant requested that EFSEC review its ASC under expedited processing. If a request for expedited processing is granted, EFSEC does not conduct an adjudicative hearing on the application before preparing its recommendation to the governor. To be eligible for expedited processing, the environmental impact of the proposed energy facility must not be significant, or must be mitigated to a non-significant level, and must be found consistent and in compliance with local land use plans and zoning ordinances.
Yakima County certified that the Project:
- is defined as a Power Generating Facility under Yakima County Code Title 19, the Unified Land Development Code
- is proposed to be within the Agriculture Zoning District, within which power generating facilities are a Type 3 Use, pursuant to Table 19.14-1 Allowable Land Uses
- is consistent with Title 19 and would be eligible for review and permitting under Yakima County permit processes
Type 3 Uses are “uses which may be authorized subject to the approval of a conditional use permit as set forth in Section 19.30.030. Type 3 conditional uses are not generally appropriate throughout the zoning district. Type 3 uses require Hearing Examiner review of applications subject to a Type 3 review under the procedures in 19.30.100 and YCC Subsection 16B.03.030(1)(c).” YCC Title 19.14.010(2).
EFSEC issued a Mitigated Determination of Nonsignifigance under the State Environmental Policy Act on July 30, 2021. Based on this determination, and on EFSEC’s finding that the Project is consistent and in compliance with local land use plans and zoning ordinances, EFSEC granted the Applicant’s request for expedited processing on August 6, 2021. However, EFSEC stipulated it would hold a hearing akin to the County’s conditional use permit hearing to receive comment on whether any additional conditions should be required to meet the purposes of Yakima County’s conditional use criteria.
Documents:
State of Washington
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council
OER WA Solar 1, LLC.-Goose Prairie Solar Project – EFSEC Docket No. EF-210012
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING AND REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
SEPTEMBER 27, 2021
5 PM
Virtual Public Meeting
Description of Proposal
On January 19, 2021, OER WA Solar 1, LLC (Applicant) submitted an Application for Site Certification (ASC) to the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) to develop, construct and operate the Goose Prairie Solar Photovoltaic Project (Project). The proposed Project location is in Yakima County near the City of Moxee and will have a maximum generating capacity of 80 Megawatts (MW).
Proponent: OER WA Solar 1, LLC
State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Lead Agency: EFSEC
What is EFSEC is proposing to do?
EFSEC is conducting a public comment period, beginning Monday, September 13, 2021, through Monday, September 27, 2021.
EFSEC is hold a public comment meeting in order to receive verbal comment on conditions to be included in a draft site certification agreement for the proposed Project to:
(a) Comply with any development standard or criteria for approval set forth in the Yakima County Unified Development Code, YCC Title 19;
(b) Mitigate material impacts of the development, whether environmental or otherwise;
(c) Ensure compatibility of the development with existing neighboring land uses; assure consistency with the intent and character of the Agricultural Zoning District;
(d) Ensure that the structures and areas proposed are surfaced, arranged and screened in such a manner that they are compatible with and not detrimental to existing or reasonable expected future development of the neighborhood, or resource uses, consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; and
(e) Achieve and further the intent, goals, objectives, and policies of the Yakima County Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Code. The Applicant and EFSEC staff will make presentations. The public will then have an opportunity to provide comment for the Council’s consideration.
How can you review the Project proposal documents?
Copies of the ASC and other materials are available at:
- https://www.efsec.wa.gov/energy-facilities/goose-prairie-solar/goose-prairie-application
- EFSEC
621 Woodland Square Loop
PO Box 43172
Lacey, WA 98503-3172
How can you provide public comment?
You may submit your comments to EFSEC from 8:00 am Monday, September 13th, 2021 through 5:00 pm Monday, September 27th on the EFSEC website at https://comments.efsec.wa.gov, or in writing to the EFSEC office (see address above). Public comment will also be accepted during the public meeting.
Meeting Location
The public meeting will be held on Monday, September 27th, 2021, from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm or last speaker, whichever comes first. This meeting is being held remotely. You may attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams online or via phone at:
- Microsoft Teams Meeting link
- +1 253-372-2181 Conference ID: 77911428#
To facilitate this remote meeting, EFSEC would like to invite speakers to sign up ahead of the meeting. Anyone wishing to speak during the public meeting should please notify EFSEC by phone at (360) 664-1345 or email at efsec@utc.wa.gov before 5:00 pm on September 27, 2021.
For more information about the Project, contact Amí Hafkemeyer at (360) 664-1305 or ami.hafkemeyer@utc.wa.gov .
To request ADA accommodation or materials in a format for the visually impaired, contact the EFSEC office at (360) 664-1345.
September 27
Document Title
Document Date
Agenda
09/27/2021
Goose Prairie Presentation
09/27/2021
Notice
09/27/2021
2021 Special Meeting Documents
Document Title | Document Date | |
---|---|---|
Special Meeting Agenda | 08/06/2021 | |
Special Meeting Legal Ad | 08/06/2021 | |
Special Meeting Notice | 08/06/2021 |
Public Comment:
Public Comment will be accepted during the Public Information Meeting and Testimony will be accepted during the Land Use Consistency Hearing. If you are unable to attend these meetings please send your comment in writing to efsec@utc.wa.gov or at the mailing address below. Please do not email your comments directly to EFSEC staff or the Chair, only send to the EFSEC inbox.
To sign up to speak at this meeting please send an email to efsec@utc.wa.gov or call EFSEC staff at (360) 664-1345 before 5:00 pm on March 16, 2021. Please include your name and the phone number you plan to call from if you are attending the meeting over the phone. This will help us identify you at the virtual meeting.
Virtual Comment drop box:
You may submit your comments to our electronic database as a sort of virtual comment drop box similar to our comment box at in-person meetings. The campaign will only appear in the electronic database at 5pm to Midnight PST on March 16th.
Meeting Location – The Public Information Meeting and Land Use Consistency Hearing will be held virtually due to public health concerns related to the spread of the novel corona virus (COVID-19). We appreciate your participation and thank you for your patience and understanding.
You may attend the meeting via Skype online or via phone at:
- https://lync.wa.gov/utc.wa.gov/meet/joan.owens/156MT8YD
- 1 (360) 407-3810 ID:19601017#
Open House – March 16, 2021, 5:00 – 5:30 PM: The Applicant and EFSEC staff will be available to answer questions about the Project and the EFSEC review process.
Informational Public Meeting – March 16, 2021, 5:30 – 7:30 PM or last speaker, whichever comes first: As required by RCW 80.50.090 (1) and WAC 463-26-025 EFSEC will hold a Public Informational Meeting. At this meeting, the Applicant and EFSEC staff will make presentations. Also, at this meeting, Counsel for the Environment, an Assistant Attorney General appointed by the Washington Attorney General will be introduced and will explain the duties of this position. Public comment will be taken during this meeting. To sign up to speak at this meeting please send an email to efsec@utc.wa.gov or call EFSEC staff at (360) 664-1345 before 5:00 pm on March 16, 2021.
Land Use Consistency Hearing – March 16, 2021, 7:30 – 9:00 PM or last speaker, whichever comes first: As required by RCW 80.50.090 (2) and WAC 463-26-035, subsequent to the informational public hearing, at approximately 7:30 PM EFSEC will hold a Land Use Hearing. During this hearing, the public will be given an opportunity to provide testimony regarding the proposed Project’s consistency and compliance with land use plans and zoning ordinances. To sign up to give testimony at this hearing please send an email to efsec@utc.wa.gov or call EFSEC staff at (360) 664-1345 before 5:00 pm on March 16, 2021.
Note: The Land Use Consistency Hearing will begin no later than 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Informational Public Meeting, which may end before 7:30 PM.
For information regarding the Project please contact Kyle Overton, EFSEC Site Specialist at (360) 664-1357. If you have special accommodation needs or need language translation services to provide your comment, please contact EFSEC staff at (360) 664-1345 or send an email to efsec@utc.wa.gov.
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council
621 Woodland Square Loop P.O. Box 43172,
Olympia, WA, 98504-3172
Governor's Proclamation on EFSEC Public Meetings 21-04
Informational Meeting and Land Use Hearing Documents
Document Title | Document Date | |
---|---|---|
Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council | 03/16/2021 | |
Informational Meeting and Land Use Hearing Agenda | 03/16/2021 | |
March 16, 2021 Goose Prairie Informational Meeting and Land Use Hearing Video | 03/16/2021 | |
One Energy Informational Meeting Presentation | 03/16/2021 |
Meeting Notice
Important Note: Public comments submitted to the Council via the internet or in writing become public records under the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.17). Information included in the comment such as the commenter's e-mail and mailing address becomes a public record once it is provided to EFSEC and may be subject to public inspection and copying if not protected by federal or state law. For additional information please see our Privacy Notice.
Permits:
Construction Stormwater General Permit
Document Title | Document Date | |
---|---|---|
Letter of Coverage | 04/20/2023 | |
Notice of Public Comment | 04/20/2023 | |
Ecology - Construction Stormwater General Permit | 11/18/2020 |
Counsel for the Environment
Correspondence
Document Title | Document Date | |
---|---|---|
Counsel for the Environment appoints Bill Sherman | 03/01/2021 | |
EFSEC requests CFE appointment | 01/27/2021 |
Comments received:
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No comments received.
No comments received.
MDNS comments
Document Title | Document Date | |
---|---|---|
MDNS comment #00001 | 07/12/2021 | |
MDNS comment #00002 | 07/12/2021 | |
MDNS comment #00003 | 07/12/2021 | |
MDNS comment #00004 | 07/12/2021 | |
MDNS comment #00005 | 07/12/2021 | |
MDNS comment #00006 | 07/12/2021 | |
MDNS comment #00007 | 07/12/2021 | |
MDNS comment #00008 | 07/12/2021 | |
MDNS comment #00009 | 07/12/2021 | |
MDNS comment #00010 | 07/12/2021 | |
MDNS comment #00011 | 07/12/2021 | |
MDNS comment #00012 | 07/12/2021 | |
MDNS comment #00013 | 07/12/2021 | |
MDNS comment #00014 | 07/12/2021 | |
MDNS comment #00015 | 07/12/2021 | |
MDNS comment #00016 | 07/12/2021 |
Conditional Use Public Comments
Document Title | Document Date | |
---|---|---|
Comment #1 | 09/28/2021 | |
Comment #2 | 09/28/2021 |
Other documents:
Orders
Document Title | Document Date | |
---|---|---|
Order 882 Application for Transfer of Site Certification Agreement | 04/20/2022 |
Data Request 1
Document Title | Document Date | |
---|---|---|
Data Request 1 | 03/29/2021 | |
Data Request 1 Response Cover Letter | 04/21/2021 | |
Data Request 1 Response | 04/21/2021 | |
Data Request 1 Noise Calculations | 04/21/2021 |
Army Corps of Engineers Determination - Wetlands
Document Title | Document Date | |
---|---|---|
Cover letter | 04/20/2021 | |
Approved Jurisdictional Determination Form | 04/16/2021 | |
Drawings | 02/19/2021 |
Applicant: OER WA Solar 1, LLC 2003 Western Ave, Ste. 225 Seattle, WA 98121 |
Location: Yakima |