Newhouse Calls for FAA Review of Inslee's Horse Heaven Hills Wind Farm

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) sent a letter to Federal Aviation Administrator (FAA) Bryan Bedford requesting a re-examination of a previous determination on the Horse Heaven Hill Wind Project's potential hazardous impact on airspace in the region. 

"I share the concerns of the residents in the Tri-Cities with the proposed wind project because of potential devasting impacts to the airspace. It includes commercial flights to PSC, Department of Defense military training routes, medivac flights from Oregon to the area’s only level II trauma center, and the utilization of air tankers for aerial firefighting. This project adds unnecessary and significant risks to aviation that need to be recognized and considered," Rep. Newhouse wrote in the letter. 

Newhouse added, "Unfortunately, former Governor Jay Inslee ignored these potential impacts to air operations and stakeholder concerns when he expediently permitted this project...There remains a great deal of concern about its impact on safe and reliable air operations. I believe a rigorous re-examination of the prior determination of no hazard is essential to properly and accurately assess this project’s impact on the community." 

In November 2024, Former Governor Jay Inslee approved a 24-mile-long wind farm on the Horse Heaven Hills in Benton County, WA. The project has been met with staunch opposition from local residents, state legislators, and tribal communities.

Read the full letter here. 

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