COLFAX, Wash. – A proposed windmill project near Kamiak Butte in Whitman County is stirring up strong reactions within the community. Steelhead America’s Harvest Hills Wind Project aims to lease small sections of privately-owned land for windmill installations, promising job creation, energy production, and increased tax revenue for the Palouse.
However, not everyone is on board. A vocal group, including members of the nonprofit ‘Save the Palouse,’ is opposing the project. They voiced their concerns at a recent Whitman County Board of Commissioners meeting where a decision on reimbursing the county for application-related costs was postponed.
Bill Myers from Save the Palouse expressed his disbelief, saying, “I just can’t imagine why you would let this happen. There are other county commissioners in other counties that are fighting this.”
Commissioner Art Swannack addressed the community’s concerns in a letter, stating, “What I can tell you is I looked into every one of your concerns. I’ve researched them and tried to see if there was something which gave us authority beyond what the Washington State Legislature granted us. There is not. The legal challenges proposed are not going to work.”
Despite this, Save the Palouse remains determined, with local student Layla Inman saying, “We have to fight hard, even if it’s going up against the big guys. We have to try if it’s going to be something that’s going to end up better.”
Steelhead Americas maintains that the project will benefit the area and has invited those with questions or concerns to attend a public information session at the Pullman Alumni Center on Feb. 4 at 6 p.m.
Shane Roach from Steelhead Americas emphasized that the Save the Palouse campaign does not fully represent Whitman County, noting that many residents are excited about the potential benefits of the windmills.
The debate continues as the community grapples with the potential impact of the windmill project on the Kamiak Butte skyline and the local economy.
