Badger Mountain solar project is withdrawn

What's happened

Washington state has withdrawn Avangrid’s Badger Mountain solar proposal after decades of tribal concerns over sacred sites and cultural resources on the public parcel. New surveys found 17 or more sites of archaeological or cultural importance not listed in the original report. Tribes say preservation of sacred sites takes precedence over development; the project may pause further planning.

What's behind the headline?

The unstated stakes

• The collaboration between tribes, state agencies, and a private energy developer has highlighted how cultural resource protections intersect with renewable energy expansion. The new findings indicate systematic gaps in the original survey, undermining permitting processes and eroding trust with tribal nations.
• The pause and withdrawal signal a potential pivot in how projects are reviewed, pushing more robust, transparent consultation with Indigenous communities. This could foreclose certain sites or force redesigns to safeguard sacred areas.
• The forecast is that future projects will face heightened scrutiny, with tribal consent becoming a more binding factor in land-based energy development.

What this means for readers

• Local energy plans may shift away from Badger Mountain, affecting grid planning and potential clean-energy timelines.
• Readers in Washington could see greater demand for culturally informed environmental reviews in state permitting.
• The outcome may set a precedent for how developers document cultural resources and engage tribes early in the process.

How we got here

The Badger Mountain site sits on public land with a mix of state and private ownership. Tribes have long asserted rights to practice traditional foods and ceremonies there. Previous investigations found that key archaeological data were omitted from the initial survey, prompting a pause and eventual withdrawal.

Our analysis

ProPublica, High Country News: Both articles document the history of the project, including the 2024 survey gaps and tribal opposition. They quote tribal leaders and Avangrid officials, illustrating how the pause and withdrawal unfolded and the role of the state permitting authorities.

Go deeper

• What will replace the Badger Mountain project in the state’s clean-energy plans?
• How will tribes influence future solar projects on public lands?
• When will the state reissue a culturally robust evaluation framework?

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