OLYMPIA— The Washington State Department of Commerce has withdrawn funding for a proposed tidal energy research project in response to concerns from multiple tribal nations whose treaty-protected waterways would be affected by the installation and project work.

Dehlsen Associates Inc’s subsidiary, Aquantis, Inc., received the now-rescinded $1.37 million conditional grant award for its Tidal Energy Project, which proposed installing a marine turbine for testing in Puget Sound. The turbine was planned for a three-month test phase in the Similk and Skagit bay area in the north Sound near the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. It would have been towed through or affected the waterways of 10 other Salish Sea area tribes, from the Makah to Lummi Nation.

And concerns, such as protecting salmon, reached beyond the project’s proposed path. As members from the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission noted in a meeting about this project: All the traditional riverways that feed into the Sound are pathways for fish returning from the ocean. Because of the interconnectedness of our waterways, the project would impact most tribal nations in the state.

The project aimed to advance renewable energy technology that could eventually reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Commerce’s award represented approximately 25% of the project’s total funding. While Commerce remains committed to supporting clean energy innovation, the agency recognizes the importance of respecting tribal treaty rights and cultural resources.

“I am grateful to Commerce Director Nguyễn and his staff for hearing the Swinomish Tribal Community’s concerns about testing new tidal turbine technology in the Salish Sea. We appreciate Director Nguyễn’s leadership in taking decisive action to withdraw state grant funding. Swinomish supports clean energy projects, but not at the expense of our Treaty fishing access, Salish Sea ecosystem health or our cultural lifeways,” said Swinomish Tribal Community Chairman Steve Edwards.

Chairman Edwards initiated contact with Commerce’s Director and Office of Tribal Relations. In his letter, Chairman Edwards expressed concern about the project and its similarities with a previously proposed project of similar size and impact, which did not proceed because of many of the same environmental concerns brought up in this project.

After careful review, Energy Division Assistant Director Jennifer Grove and Director of the Office of Tribal Relations Michelle Gladstone-Wade recommended to Director Nguyễn that Commerce rescind the funding, citing potential impacts on treaty-protected rights, access to culturally significant places and resources, and risks to the Salish Sea ecosystem. Director Nguyễn agreed.

“Commerce is committed to doing the right thing, even when it means changing course. By addressing these concerns promptly, we’re building stronger relationships with tribal partners while ensuring our clean energy investments truly benefit all people in Washington without compromising the natural resources and cultural heritage that make our state unique,” said Director Nguyễn.

This project, and other recent communications between tribal nations and Commerce, highlighted the opportunity for Commerce to recall its responsibility to consult with tribes about the potential effects of projects on cultural resources rather than delegating this work to contractors. This responsibility is assigned under Executive Order 21-02. Commerce and tribal nations share a commitment to advancing clean energy solutions for Washington state. Funding originally allocated for this project will be redistributed within Commerce’s Clean Energy Fund grant program, maintaining the state’s commitment to supporting responsible clean energy research, development and deployment.

Source: Washington State Department of Commerce