If Cascadia is going to get serious about leading on the global climate crisis, it will need more forms of clean energy, in addition to benefitting from its lucky inheritance of hydropower.
According to my former colleague Hal Bernton, there are 21 proposed projects that would cover 22,000 acres in Eastern Washington with solar panels, a source of clean power and income in an economically challenged area:
“The sun is a crop and I think we need to harvest it too if we are going to move away from fossil fuels … Anyone who thinks that the climate isn’t changing is crazy and we need to do our part,” one landowner said.
This is a potential boon for Cascadia, both as an opportunity to build and expand new industry and to demonstrate how to combat climate change.
The epicenter is Goldendale -- where I've been traveling for 25 years -- and where wind power is a booming industry. There are lots of crosscurrents between new and old residents and businesses. The story doesn't detail the potential electricity generation or grid connections.
Hopefully Klickitat County guides development and lifts its moratorium on new solar farms, rather than letting nimbys prevail.
Looking for inspiration? Consider this dramatic growth in India. Or Australia and China. Or urban environments that could be partial models for Cascadia.
Compare this to the early days of Cascadia Report less than 15 years ago:
- Wind company proposes first turbines in Yakima
- Push for more renewable energy meets nimby
- Wanted: Someone to make windmills