John – 

Washington State’s Department of Ecology just approved a permit for the Goldendale Pumped Storage project, which would harm irreplaceable tribal cultural resources of the Yakama Nation.

This is not just a random spot of land. It is Pushpum – a unique location used in ongoing harvests of traditional resources, as well as the associated ceremonies, rites, and traditions for the Yakama Nation.

Washington Conservation Action is standing with the Yakama Nation in opposition to the Goldendale Pumped Storage project as part of our commitment to fight for environmental justice and balance the needs of our communities with our environmental priorities.

Join us in opposition to the Goldendale project by signing our petition here.

Research conducted by the Department of Ecology concluded that there is no way to mitigate or replace cultural and religious resources that would be destroyed by this development.

A clean energy future cannot come with the exploitation of tribal communities. We support moving away from fossil fuels but not at the expense of harming tribes, their land, and treaty obligations. 

Ultimately, this is about our ability to achieve our climate goals, John. We must balance environmental priorities and values with our communities' needs and the obligations we have under past treaties in order to be able to durably address climate change.

By signing your name to our petition, you add your voice to the call for the Goldendale Pumped Storage project to find another site. We must work in solidarity with the Yakama Nation on this issue.

Thank you,

Lennon

Washington Environmental Council and Washington Conservation Voters are now unified under one brand, Washington Conservation Action.