Yakama leaders protest clean energy project near sacred site

Yakama Nation members and nonprofit groups are opposing a proposed clean energy storage project near Pushpum, a sacred site along the Columbia River in Washington, the Oregon Capital Chronicle reports. The 700-acre Goldendale pumped-hydro energy storage project would be built on the contaminated grounds of an abandoned aluminum smelter formerly owned by Lockheed Martin. Supporters say the project could help meet regional energy demand and power up to 500,000 homes, but a state review found it would have “significant and unavoidable adverse impacts” on Yakama historic sites and culturally significant plants.

Yakama leaders and groups, including Columbia Riverkeeper, called on Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson to intervene after state and federal agencies issued key permits. Elaine Harvey, a Yakama Nation member and watershed manager at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, said the project raises concerns about sacred root grounds, migratory corridors, wildlife and possible energy use by data centers.