Energy Northwest cancels first large-scale project on state's west side - Northwest McClatchy - bellinghamherald.com

Energy Northwest and four southwest Washington utilities have canceled the Radar Ridge wind power project, which had been proposed as the first major wind farm in Western Washington.

Energy Northwest of Richland announced the decision Wednesday at a board meeting in Portland. About $4 million had been spent on the proposed project since 2007, about half of that from Energy Northwest.

New restrictions proposed for the project by U.S. Fish and Wildlife were unreasonable, said Jack Baker, Energy Northwest vice president for energy business services.

At issue was habitat for marbled murrelets, a seabird listed in 1992 as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Energy Northwest also was concerned about the soft market for wind power and the need to spend up to $750,000 to finish the regulatory process with an uncertain outcome.