Solar project in eastern Washington paused amid concerns about Indigenous cultural sites

Since 2018, Portland-based developer Avangrid Renewables has been working to develop an industrial solar project on a piece of state-owned land in eastern Washington. The parcel, known as Badger Mountain, is also an important ceremonial and first-foods site for tribal nations such as the Yakama and Colville. 

An investigation from High Country News and ProPublica earlier this year revealed that Avangrid omitted more than a dozen sites of cultural and archaeological significance from its survey of the site. The company has now announced it will pause the project while it reevaluates feedback from landowners and tribal nations. 

Toastie Oaster is a staff writer for High Country News. They join us with more details.