2018-07-16 Meeting with Paul JewellMeeting with Paul Jewell
July 16, 2018
3:32 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Stamper, Paul Jewell (by phone),
Erik Martin, Lee Napier, Becky Butler
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Former Kittitas County Commissioner Paul Jewell, who now
serves as Policy Director with the Washington State
Association of Counties, discuss Kittitas County’s experience
with wind turbines.
Lee Napier said the wind turbines for RES Americas’ planned
wind farm will be exclusively in Lewis County while the
operations will be in Thurston County. She said the project is
for 38 wind turbines generating 137 megawatts of power.
Paul said the power would be considered interstate
commerce and likely couldn’t be taxed. He discussed the use
of a severance tax.
Lee said scoping items, but not mitigation items, have been
identified for the Environmental EIS. Lee said RES has
indicated its project has to be ready by the end of the year.
Paul suggested addressing fire dangers. Lee said county
setbacks could be based on structure heights. The group
discussed Kittitas County’s idea to plant birds to make sure
the dead bird count was being performed properly.
Paul said residents voiced concerns about noise, “shadow flickers” and property value.
Paul said residents preferred red lights instead of white lights and that they preferred that the lights
blink at same time and for same length of time (instead of intermittently). Paul said Kittitas County
worked with the energy company to create a work-share type area.
Paul Jewell left at 4:27 p.m.
The group reviewed the “to-do” list.
Meeting adjourned at 4:48 p.m.
TO-DO LIST / RECAP
BOCC: Follow up about with Dianne
Dorey about state-assessed utilities
and property taxes.
All: Address decommissioning the
site and fire concerns.
Becky: Speak to Dianne Dorey
about school districts and DFL
removal.
Rieva: Set up meeting with Dianne
Dorey (include Becky Butler, Lee
Napier, Karen Witherspoon and
Matt Matayoshi) to discuss wind
turbines.