The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued a 40-year license for a $2 billion pumped-storage hydropower facility on land the Yakama Nation considers sacred. The 1,200-megawatt Goldendale Energy Storage Project would function as a giant battery for the Pacific Northwest grid—pumping water uphill when power is cheap, releasing it through turbines when demand spikes. The site, known to the Yakama as Pushpum or 'mother of all roots,' has been used for ceremonies, fishing, and gathering traditional foods for centuries.
The decision lands at a crossroads of competing priorities: the region's push toward renewable energy versus indigenous rights to protect sacred lands. Washington's Department of Ecology and FERC both concluded the project would cause 'significant and unavoidable adverse impacts' on tribal communities. Yet federal regulators approved it anyway, triggering a 30-day window for tribal nations and environmental groups to request rehearing before likely court appeals. Construction could begin in 2027, with the facility operational by 2032.
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People Involved
Gerald Lewis
Chairman, Yakama Nation Tribal Council (Leading tribal opposition to project)
Erik Steimle
Chief Development Officer, Rye Development (Leading project development)
Organizations Involved
CO
Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation
Tribal Government
Status: Primary opponent of the project
A confederation of 14 tribes with treaty rights to fish, hunt, and gather on ceded lands including the Goldendale project site.
FE
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Federal Agency
Status: Approved project license
The independent federal agency that regulates interstate energy transmission, including hydropower licensing.
RY
Rye Development
Private Developer
Status: Project lead developer
A Boston-based developer specializing in pumped storage hydropower projects across the United States.
CO
Columbia Riverkeeper
Environmental Nonprofit
Status: Opposing project through litigation
An environmental advocacy organization focused on protecting the Columbia River and its tributaries.
Timeline
Yakama Nation condemns FERC decision
Opposition
Chairman Gerald Lewis says federal agencies are 'rewarding bad actors.' Tribes and environmental groups have 30 days to request rehearing.
FERC issues 40-year license
Approval
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission grants construction and operating license. Project has two years to break ground.
State upholds water permit on appeal
Legal
Washington's Pollution Control Hearings Board rejects appeal by tribes and environmental groups, affirming water quality certification.
FERC adopts tribal deference policy
Regulatory
FERC announces it will not issue permits for projects on tribal reservation lands if the tribe objects. Policy does not cover ceded lands like Goldendale site.
Washington issues water quality certification
Regulatory
Department of Ecology grants Section 401 certification, reversing 2021 denial. Tribes and environmental groups appeal.
Final state environmental review completed
Regulatory
Washington releases final EIS, finding 'significant and unavoidable adverse impacts' on tribal historic sites and culturally important plants.
Four tribes call on Inslee to oppose project
Opposition
Yakama, Nez Perce, Warm Springs, and Umatilla nations jointly urge Washington's governor to block the project.
Draft environmental impact statement released
Regulatory
State releases draft EIS followed by three public hearings during two-month comment period.
Washington denies water permit
Legal
Department of Ecology denies water quality certification without prejudice, citing incomplete information.
Environmental impact review begins
Regulatory
Washington Department of Ecology initiates environmental impact statement process after determining likely significant impacts.
Yakama Nation formally opposes project
Opposition
Tribal Council resolution states project would destroy nine Traditional Cultural Properties of religious significance.
Danish investment firm Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners takes ownership through its Flagship Fund CI V.
Washington declares project 'statewide significance'
Regulatory
Governor Jay Inslee signs legislation granting the project expedited permitting as a 'project of statewide significance.'
Early pumped storage proposal surfaces
Development
Klickitat County Public Utility District proposes a similar pumped storage project at the site, called the JD Pool project.
Smelter site capped and closed
Background
Contaminated smelter site is capped. Developers will later pledge $10 million for further cleanup.
Site added to hazardous waste list
Regulatory
Washington Department of Ecology adds the former smelter site to its Hazardous Sites List.
Aluminum smelter opens at site
Background
Columbia Gorge Aluminum smelter begins operations at what is now the Goldendale project site. The facility operates until 2003.
Scenarios
1
Appeals Fail, Construction Proceeds in 2027
Discussed by: Project developers; industry analysts at International Water Power magazine
FERC denies rehearing requests and court challenges are rejected or move slowly. With the 40-year license and state permits in hand, construction begins by 2027 as planned. The project becomes operational by 2032, providing 1,200 MW of grid storage to the Pacific Northwest. This outcome seems most likely given the project's designation as 'statewide significance' and the recent appeal rejection.
2
Court Blocks Project Over Consultation Failures
Discussed by: Columbia Riverkeeper attorneys; tribal legal experts
Opponents successfully argue in federal court that FERC failed to adequately consult with tribal nations or conduct proper environmental review. A judge vacates the license and orders additional consultation, similar to the Dakota Access Pipeline pattern where courts have repeatedly found consultation failures. This could delay the project for years.
3
State Court Challenge Halts Development
Discussed by: Washington State Standard reporting; project opponents
A state permit challenge currently in Washington's Court of Appeals succeeds, blocking construction even with federal approval in place. Projects require both state and federal permits to proceed. This scenario would force developers to restart portions of the state permitting process.
A change in federal administration leads to policy review of energy projects on indigenous sacred sites. New FERC commissioners could expand the 2024 tribal deference policy to cover ceded lands, not just reservation lands. The license could be revoked or conditions imposed that make the project financially unviable.
Historical Context
Dakota Access Pipeline and Standing Rock (2016-2020)
2016-2020
What Happened
Energy Transfer Partners built a crude oil pipeline crossing under the Missouri River near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation without, the tribe argued, adequate consultation. The pipeline route was originally planned near Bismarck but moved over concerns about the state capital's water supply. Protests in 2016 became the largest gathering of Native Americans in over a century.
Outcome
Short Term
A federal judge in 2020 ordered the pipeline emptied and shut down until the Army Corps completed a full environmental impact statement, but an appeals court stayed that order.
Long Term
The pipeline continues operating. The case established precedent that courts will scrutinize tribal consultation processes, but also showed limits of legal challenges once infrastructure is built.
Why It's Relevant Today
Goldendale opponents cite consultation failures similar to those alleged at Standing Rock. The DAPL experience shows that legal victories may come too late to stop projects, and that federal approval can proceed despite documented tribal opposition.
Oak Flat and Resolution Copper (2014-2025)
2014-2025
What Happened
Congress in 2014 attached a land transfer to a must-pass defense bill, giving 2,422 acres of Tonto National Forest—including Oak Flat, sacred to Western Apache peoples—to Resolution Copper for one of the world's largest copper mines. The site had been protected from mining since President Eisenhower's 1955 order.
Outcome
Short Term
The Supreme Court in May 2025 declined to block the transfer, with only Justices Gorsuch and Thomas dissenting. A federal appeals court temporarily halted the transfer in August 2025.
Long Term
The case established that the government can authorize destruction of sacred sites on federal land without violating religious freedom laws—a precedent that weakens tribal claims to protect sacred sites outside reservations.
Why It's Relevant Today
Like Oak Flat, Pushpum is sacred land outside reservation boundaries. The Oak Flat precedent suggests courts may not block projects on religious freedom grounds, leaving tribes dependent on consultation requirements and political pressure.
Snoqualmie Falls Hydropower (1899-2019)
1899-2019
What Happened
Puget Sound Energy built what became the world's first underground hydropower plant at Snoqualmie Falls, sacred to the Snoqualmie Tribe as the place of human creation. The tribe fought for decades to protect the falls. In 2005, FERC required increased flows during May and June to generate the sacred mists.
Outcome
Short Term
Puget Sound Energy signed a 40-year lease to continue operations in 2004 despite tribal protests.
Long Term
In 2019, the Snoqualmie Tribe purchased the Salish Lodge and 45 surrounding acres for $125 million, gaining significant influence over the site's future.
Why It's Relevant Today
Snoqualmie shows that FERC can impose conditions protecting tribal interests even while approving projects. It also demonstrates that tribes sometimes achieve long-term goals through economic power when legal and political strategies fail.
