Wind turbines near the Columbia River Gorge in 2009. Photo by Sam Beebe.
Governor Kulongoski and Senator Wyden went to Eastern Oregon today to highlight a pair of big renewable energy projects.
For Kulongoski and Wyden, the day began with a groundbreaking ceremony for ZeaChem, a new biofuels facility in Morrow.
ZeaChem’s plan is to use trees from a nearby poplar farm, and other crops, to produce about 250,000 gallons of biofuel annually. It’s using $25 million in federal stimulus money to help build the plant.
Next for the two men, a tour of the Shepards Flat wind farm under construction near Arlington. Shepards Flat is going to be either the largest wind farm in the country, or the largest in the world – depending on who you ask.
Work began on May 21st after the Defense Department said it would not oppose construction. The DOD was worried that the wind turbines would interfere with an Air Force radar station near Fossil. After some frantic meetings with Oregon’s congressional delegation, DOD said it would update the radar station to avoid any problems.
According to a press release from the Governor’s office, these two projects will create more than 700 construction jobs and 330 permanent jobs in Oregon.
It’s about time.
A report from Oregon’s Employment Department shows that the state has been losing jobs in the renewable electricity sector. It says the number of people employed in this field was at 10,809 in 2004, but fell to 9,640 in 2009. That’s a decline of over 10%.
The report covers companies that produce electricity from renewable sources whether it’s a big or small part of their business. For example, it includes utilities that generate power from coal and wind or solar. Those figures don’t include Bonneville Power, which added about 100 jobs during the five year period.
It’s not all bad. Those who do have renewable electricity jobs typically make 50% to 100% more, per-hour, than the average worker. They’re also more likely to have full-time employment.
For More Information:
Oregon Employment Department: Oregon’s Renewable Energy Sector
Related Stories:
Renewable Energy Goes To PrisonOregon Scores High In Renewable Energy RankingsPentagon Drops Objections To Oregon Wind Farm
Renewable energy is the future, why depend on fossil fuels when we can go renewable.:,-
Renewable Energy got into more focuse in this decade because everyone does not want to depend on Oil.-~.