Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements released for utility-scale solar, onshore wind, and green hydrogen energy facilities in Washington state 

In 2023, the Washington Legislature passed a law designed to make siting and permitting clean energy projects in the state more effective and efficient. The law directed Ecology to develop programmatic environmental impact statements (PEISs) to help local and state permitting authorities identify and evaluate potential adverse environmental impacts of a clean energy project proposal. 

We worked with agencies, energy developers, Tribes, and other interested parties to identify common issues, impacts, and challenges associated with utility-scale solar, onshore wind, and green hydrogen energy projects. The studies identify the likely significant environmental impacts and potential measures to avoid, reduce, and mitigate impacts.  

The broad statewide assessments are not intended to make any decisions about whether a specific project should be built or replace local permitting oversight. All three studies recommend developers engage with local and state regulators, Tribes, and communities early in the process. 

We developed a toolkit to help developers and regulators use the PEISs and identify potential issues and concerns before an application for a project is submitted. Ecology will hold workshops to help project developers and agencies apply the studies. The PEIS website includes links to the studies and we will post information on future workshops. 

For more information, please contact cleanenergy@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-6600. 

Para más información o para solicitar un intérprete, favor de comunicarse al 360-407-6600 o cleanenergy@ecy.wa.gov.