The development of an industrial-scale solar panel array on Badger Mountain in Eastern Washington has hit a roadblock as Avangrid Renewables, the company behind the project, has decided to pause permitting activities. This decision comes after concerns were raised about the potential impacts on Indigenous cultural sites in the area.

An investigation by High Country News and ProPublica revealed that a land survey funded by Avangrid had omitted more than a dozen sites of archaeological or cultural significance on the public parcel included in the project area. This survey is required by the state before the project can be permitted for construction to begin.

In response to these concerns, Avangrid wrote a letter to the state agency responsible for approving the project, stating that they will be pausing project planning for two to three months to re-evaluate public comments, including those from project landowners and affected tribal nations.

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation have both objected to the Badger Mountain solar project, citing the presence of important cultural resources on the mountain. The tribes have the right to access and use public lands in their ancestral territory, which includes the state-owned parcel on Badger Mountain.

The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council had previously ordered a redo of the cultural resources survey due to concerns raised by tribal nations and state agencies.

While Avangrid is pausing permitting activities, they are continuing to evaluate other elements of the project. The future of the Badger Mountain solar project remains uncertain, but Avangrid has expressed a commitment to working with the Department of Natural Resources to advance clean energy projects in the state.

The pause in project planning provides an opportunity for more discussions with tribes and potential stakeholders. Louis Fortin of the Department of Natural Resources noted that more archaeological sites and plant resources are being discovered in the area, raising additional concerns.

Some leases with private landowners expired in December 2023, and it is unclear if those leases will be renewed. The majority of the project is on private lands, so the concerns raised by tribal nations may impact the viability of the project.

Despite the pause in operations, some tribal members remain skeptical that their concerns will be taken into account. Darnell Sam, a Wenatchi-P’squosa organizer, expressed mistrust in the process, citing the experiences of neighboring tribes like the Yakama Nation who have faced similar challenges in opposing development projects on their ancestral lands.

Overall, the pause in permitting activities for the Badger Mountain solar project underscores the importance of meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities and the need to balance clean energy development with respect for cultural heritage and environmental conservation. When it comes to finding a responsible place for something, it can often be a challenging task. Whether it’s a physical object or a more abstract concept, it’s important to consider the implications of where it ends up. This issue is especially prevalent in today’s society, where waste management and environmental concerns are at the forefront of many conversations.

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