Episode Details

A fierce local debate is unfolding in south-central Washington as a massive solar project, the River Turn Energy Center, threatens prime farmland. Developers, including Shell’s Savion Renewable Energy, are pushing forward with plans for one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest solar and battery storage facilities — but county officials are racing to craft new policies that protect agriculture while still embracing clean energy. Farmers are being offered lucrative lease deals, up to $10,000 per acre, sparking both excitement and concern. Meanwhile, a mysterious campaign group, “Make Energy Right Klickitat,” backed by Savion’s public affairs firm AMAUTA, is flooding social media with AI-generated ads urging locals to demand more control over land use — raising eyebrows about transparency and influence. With legal review pending and a public hearing slated for September, the future of this project — and the balance between farming and energy development — hangs in the balance.

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