Wind Power News: Oregon
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
More renewable energy, less energy efficiency in new Northwest power plan
More renewable energy development and less room for energy conservation are two of the biggest changes in the draft of the new regional power plan. The Northwest Power Plan guides the electricity demand decisions of the Bonneville Power Administration over the next 20 years. Energy experts say the draft of the 2021 Northwest Power Plan is dramatically different from previous versions. “A lot of things are changing right now because of people’s concern about carbon emissions and greenhouse gas emissions that . . . Complete story »
Oregon farmers allege violations at wind turbine project
Several farmers have complained to Oregon energy regulators that wind turbine construction in Sherman County has caused severe erosion and other problems. A letter from 11 farmers to the state’s Energy Facility Siting Council alleges that developer Avangrid Renewables has failed to comply with requirements for building the Golden Hills Wind Project, which will include up to 51 turbines on 29,500 acres. “We’ve lost more soil in the last two months than we have in 30 years,” said David Pinkerton, . . . Complete story »
Proposal to lay cables under Columbia met with skepticism
Can slicing a 100-mile trench into the bed of the Columbia River be good for the environment? The answer is a big yes, says a team of energy developers that proposes submerging power cables in the riverbed. The developers say the cables could deliver “clean” energy that will be crucial for getting the most densely developed areas of Cascadia off fossil fuels. A proposal by energy developer Sun2o Partners and transmission developer PowerBridge would insert the cables into the Columbia . . . Complete story »
Massive offshore wind farms could be coming to Oregon
A federal agency is planning some big things for offshore wind energy on the Oregon Coast. In a June 23 presentation to the Curry County Board of Commissioners, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management outlined their process in identifying locations for some truly massive wind turbines – the largest of which are taller than the Statue of Liberty and the Washington Monument at more than 850 feet – not to mention the span of the whirling blades – which can be longer than . . . Complete story »
Oregon’s big climate bill of 2021 generates little friction
Oregon would adopt one of the country’s most ambitious timelines for eliminating carbon dioxide emissions from its power grid under a major bill advocates believe will pass the Legislature this year. House Bill 2021 – a product of intensive negotiations between the state’s largest utilities, environmental justice groups, renewable energy boosters and more – advanced out of one House committee last week. It must now navigate the state budgeting process before final votes in the House and Senate. In a legislative session . . . Complete story »
NW solar, wind developments could impact vast swaths of ag land
Up to 146,000 acres of the Northwest – much of it farmland – could be converted to solar production by 2050, according to a recent study. In addition, wind power production could directly impact nearly 8,800 acres. The American Farmland Trust used National Renewable Energy Lab data to study several scenarios, said Addie Candib, Pacific Northwest regional director for the trust. AFT is a nonprofit that works to protect and conserve farmland. The cost of solar developments will impact the number and . . . Complete story »
Controversial Oregon power line gets national nod as transmission gains favor
A controversial $1.2 billion transmission line in northeastern Oregon is on a new list of 22 projects nationwide that a coalition of advocacy groups and industry players says are primed to be built, yielding renewable energy benefits and green jobs. The projects “could begin construction in the near term if more workable transmission policies are enacted,” the coalition said in a report that was endorsed by the Biden administration on Tuesday. But Idaho Power, the utility spearheading the 300-mile, 500-kilovolt . . . Complete story »
A proposed power plant near Hermiston may be canceled, but controversy remains
Friends of the Columbia Gorge and other environmental groups are currently challenging the agency’s decision to greenlight construction of the Summit Ridge Wind Farm in Wasco County. They say that project, located along a section of the Deschutes River classified as wild and scenic, would have adverse impacts on raptors and other wildlife. Again, they contend that agency illegally allowed project backers to begin roadwork at the site to meet a construction deadline, avoiding changes its site certificate that would have triggered more public scrutiny and input. Phased construction was never contemplated in the original permit. Complete story »
Despite troubled past, critics say Oregon Department of Energy is ignoring rules to benefit power plants
Earlier this month, several conservation groups filed for judicial review of the department’s actions on the Summit Ridge Wind Farm in Wasco County. Among other things, they claim the department allowed backers of that project to make improvements to a private road to demonstrate that it had satisfied “phase 1” construction requirement on that facility. “No statute or regulation authorizes ‘phased construction,’” said Nathan Baker, senior staff attorney with Friends of the Columbia River Gorge. Complete story »
Tri-City groups leery of $33 billion proposal to remove dams
Neither small modular reactors nor the type of batteries needed for long-term to store wind and solar energy in the Northwest remain under development. Currently, battery storage is available but is generally used for storing electricity for a few hours. The Northwest likely would need new kinds of battery storage to provide constant power for much longer periods, such as winter cold snaps when the wind may not blow for days. “We welcome the advancement of these technologies, but the region’s electric customers should not be made reliant on technological breakthroughs to keep the lights on,” [Kurt Miller, executive director of Northwest RiverPartners,] said. Complete story »
