A proposed pumped hydro-energy storage facility, poised for construction near Goldendale in south-central Washington, has secured a crucial federal permit, advancing a project that Indigenous leaders warn will irreparably damage or destroy cultural grounds vital to the átáx̌ʷa Band of the Yakama Nation, also known as the "River People." The site, deeply revered as Pushpum, or "Mother of All Roots," stands as one of the last remaining seasonal gathering grounds where the átáx̌ʷa harvest endemic heirloom root vegetables, a practice central to their subsistence and cultural identity. Overlooking the majestic mid-Columbia River and the expansive sagebrush steppe, the peak offers a panoramic vista critical for propagating the ancestral stories that form the very architecture of regional Indigenous thought and cultural continuity.

The contentious project, which envisions digging a tunnel through Pushpum to connect a pair of reservoirs designed to store energy for future use, received its final permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in January. Elaine Harvey, a representative for the átáx̌ʷa Band, has passionately described the site as "irreplaceable" and condemned the proposed development as a "total desecration" of the sacred mountain. This federal endorsement has thrust industry’s persistent appetite for land into direct confrontation with fundamental principles of tribal sovereignty, the imperative of cultural preservation, the safeguarding of regional biodiversity, and the voices of local communities. For years, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, alongside a formidable coalition of allies—including the National Congress of American Indians, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Columbia Riverkeeper, the Sierra Club, American Rivers, and over a dozen individual tribal governments—have waged a tireless campaign to protect Pushpum.

Rye Development, the firm behind the initiative, first proposed the current iteration of the $2 billion to $3 billion facility in 2017. However, plans to develop pumped hydro storage at this specific site had been under consideration by Klickitat County for several years prior, highlighting a long-standing regional interest in large-scale energy infrastructure. Pumped hydro storage facilities are critical components of a modern, decarbonized energy grid, acting as vast natural batteries. They store surplus electricity—often generated by intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar—by pumping water uphill to a reservoir. When energy demand rises, the water is released back downhill through turbines, generating electricity. This technology is increasingly seen as essential for grid stability and the broader clean energy transition, making projects of this nature highly sought after by developers and governments.

FERC, an independent federal agency tasked with regulating interstate energy transmission and transport, including pipelines, hydroelectric projects, and utilities, typically operates outside the public spotlight. Yet, in recent years, it has faced growing scrutiny and broad criticism, particularly for its handling of high-profile cases involving tribal sovereignty. A notable policy shift occurred last year when FERC declared it would not permit hydro projects on reservations without the explicit consent of the tribal government, a move designed to prevent treaty violations and uphold Indigenous rights. However, this acknowledgment of tribal sovereignty, deemed by many as a basic and necessary safeguard, was reportedly pressured to be rescinded by the Trump administration, illustrating the political complexities and pressures influencing federal regulatory bodies.

During FERC’s January 22 meeting, where the commission officially announced Rye Development’s permit, Commissioner David Rosner articulated a clear desire to accelerate development. "My hope is that we can, moving forward, spend less time with the lawsuits and more time with the electricians, more time figuring out how do we unlock the hundreds of gigawatts of new generation capacity," Rosner stated. He clarified that while the project itself does not generate new energy, it serves a crucial role in storing surplus energy for later use. Rosner further emphasized his aspiration to "get those queues moving faster so that they can serve the needs of all the developers. That’s my hope." This sentiment reflects a broader governmental push to streamline permitting processes for energy infrastructure, often clashing with environmental and cultural review requirements.

FERC Chair Laura Swett, appointed by President Donald Trump in October, expressed her "very excited" support for issuing the license for the 1,200-megawatt pumped-hydro storage facility. Swett highlighted the significance of the decision, noting, "The last time FERC issued an original license for a project of this magnitude was 12 years ago," a reference clarified by a FERC spokesperson as the 1,300-megawatt Eagle Mountain Pumped Storage project in Riverside County, California. She concluded her remarks by commending the local community, stating, "Thank you to Goldendale for rising to the occasion." The license granted to Rye Development is valid for an extensive period of 40 years, underscoring the long-term implications of this federal approval.

Commissioner Rosner openly identified long permitting timelines, which necessitate comprehensive environmental reviews and government-to-government tribal consultation, as significant obstacles to energy development. He asserted that FERC had completed "six years of historic preservation and consultation with states and tribes," implying a thorough due diligence process. Rosner then issued a call to energy companies, encouraging them to bring FERC proposals "that work for your region" to "get new generation online, fast" and "get large loads connected" without imposing increased energy costs on consumers. With a slight smile, he extended an invitation, "My door is open, if you want to meet and discuss — subject to all of our fun ex parte rules," referencing the regulations governing private communications with interested parties during formal proceedings.

These ex parte rules became a particular point of contention throughout the permitting process, as FERC cited them as the reason for not conducting private, government-to-government consultation with the Yakama Nation. Federal law explicitly mandates such consultation, recognizing the sovereign status of tribal nations and the federal government’s trust responsibility. In a move that further strained relations, the agency controversially attempted in 2021 to designate the developer, Rye Development, as the federal government’s representative at the consultation table. The Yakama Nation unequivocally refused to accept a private corporation in this official capacity, asserting that true government-to-government consultation must occur directly with federal representatives. This refusal highlighted a fundamental disagreement over the nature and integrity of the consultation process, with the Yakama Nation arguing that outsourcing federal responsibilities to a project proponent undermines the spirit and intent of tribal consultation.

Simone Anter, an attorney representing Columbia Riverkeeper, sharply criticized FERC’s public statements, deeming them "divorced from the facts on the ground." Anter articulated the profound disappointment felt by the tribal nation and its allies, stating, "FERC’s decision was made without adequate tribal government consultation and based on an incomplete environmental analysis and review of the development." She further conveyed her dismay, asserting, "It is appalling to see nothing but excitement and praise as FERC approves a license to destroy an irreplaceable sacred site." This sentiment underscores a widespread perception among Indigenous communities and environmental advocates that federal agencies prioritize economic development and energy goals over the protection of cultural heritage and the fulfillment of legal and moral obligations to tribal nations.

In response, Eric Steimle, Rye Development’s chief development officer, defended the company’s approach in an email. "We respect the vital role of tribal consultation in the FERC licensing process, which is among the most rigorous for all energy projects," Steimle wrote, emphasizing the company’s commitment. He added that Rye remains "committed to working with affected tribes to finalize a Historic Properties Management Plan that safeguards cultural and historic resources." This statement reflects the developer’s position that it is following established procedures and intends to mitigate impacts, even as opponents argue the fundamental harm is unavoidable and unacceptable.

A representative for the Yakama Nation countered that the tribal nation and its allies have spent years advocating for greater consideration of the project’s ecological impacts, arguing that both industry and the federal government have consistently downplayed these critical concerns. Two independent environmental impact statements indeed determined that the proposed project would lead to detrimental resource impacts. In 2022, the Washington State Department of Ecology, in a comprehensive tribal resource analysis, explicitly found that "the proposed project is likely to result in significant adverse impacts to natural resources and cultural resources that are considered Tribal Resources." This analysis specifically highlighted "significant and unavoidable" damage to plant and wildlife populations integral to tribal cultures, as well as to tribal archaeological and historic sites. Such findings starkly contrast with the celebratory tone adopted by some FERC officials and underscore the profound and irreversible losses anticipated by the Yakama Nation.

Steimle confirmed that Rye Development and the project owner, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, will commence the final detailed design and construction planning phase in the coming months. "A more detailed construction timeline and cost estimate will be provided then," he stated. Under the terms of the license, construction must begin within 24 months of its issuance, with Rye planning to break ground by late 2027. This timeline sets the stage for escalating tensions and potential legal challenges as the project moves closer to physical implementation.

Gerald Lewis, Chairman of the Yakama Nation Tribal Council, issued a powerful statement condemning the federal decision and highlighting what he perceives as a systemic injustice. "Federal agencies are rewarding bad actors who have spent years finding loopholes to target a new wave of industrial development on top of Indigenous sites that have religious and legendary significance to the Yakama People and many others who don’t have political connections or deep pockets," Lewis declared. He concluded with a poignant observation on cultural bias: "They know it’s wrong. If a small Christian shrine sat on this site the decision-makers would understand what ‘sacred’ means." His words resonate with a broader global movement among Indigenous communities fighting to protect their sacred lands from resource extraction and infrastructure development, often facing a lack of understanding or respect for their spiritual connections to the environment. The conflict over Pushpum thus serves as a microcosm of the ongoing global struggle between economic development, energy transition, and the fundamental rights and cultural survival of Indigenous peoples.