Feds greenlight $2 billion renewable project on Yakama Nation sacred site along Columbia

By: Henry Brannan

Outlets: The Columbian

Published: January 31, 2026

Words: 1,179

Last Updated: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

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Federal energy regulators last Thursday greenlit a roughly $2 billion renewable energy megaproject on a Yakama Nation sacred site overlooking the Columbia River in Klickitat County.

The 40-year federal license requires the project to break ground within two years, although it still faces legal challenges, said Erik Steimle, who is leading the project for Rye Development. The new license is the final legal approval needed to move the project into construction, Steimle said.

The site …

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