What comes next for a proposed energy project along Columbia River, and the Yakama Nation's opposition to it
The Yakama Nation and Columbia Riverkeeper are actively opposing the Goldendale Energy Storage Project and an associated data center in Klickitat County, Washington, citing environmental and cultural impacts. Despite this, the energy project recently received a necessary 40-year hydroelectric license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Opponents have filed lawsuits challenging federal and state permits for the project.
The Yakama Nation continues to vociferously oppose the Goldendale Energy Storage Project and a co-located hyperscale data center on a sacred site in Klickitat County, Washington. The energy project, developed by Rye Development and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, is a pumped-water storage system planned for 681 acres near the John Day Dam. It aims to generate between 100 and 1,200 megawatts, supporting the region's increasing energy demands and balancing the electrical grid.
The same landowner, Scott Tillman (through Javi LLC and NSC Smelter LLC), is developing the data center project with STACK Infrastructure and Blue Owl Capital on the former aluminum smelter site. This site is also classified as a Model Toxics Control Act site due to contaminants.
The Yakama Nation, along with 17 other tribal leaders, has appealed to Gov. Jay Inslee and organized events to raise awareness of their opposition, citing concerns about the loss of sacred lands, traditional foods, and habitat, drawing parallels to the destructive impact of past dam constructions. Environmental group Columbia Riverkeeper has joined the Yakama Nation in legal challenges, appealing a federal permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and a Section 401 Water Quality permit from the state Department of Ecology in the Pollution Control Hearings Board. While developers and FERC state the licensing process was rigorous and included environmental protections, opponents argue that the Yakama Nation was not adequately consulted, and mitigation efforts are insufficient.