Getting caught up here on some news that I missed.
I’ve written before about attempts by environmental groups to protect Steens Mountain from energy development.
Environmental groups wanted the state to add Steens Mountain to a list of places in Oregon where energy development is prohibited. But the Energy Facility Siting Council – which decides where large wind farms are located – recently rejected the idea.
Time is running out if you want to comment on a proposal to ban energy development on Steens Mountain.
Based on a photo by Ted Timmons.
A controversial plan to build a county owned wind farm near Hood River is dead.
County officials came up with the idea as way to make up for falling revenues from timber sales. But many people in the area were opposed, saying it would ruin scenic views, lower property values, and cause problems for wildlife.
A huge sigh of relief was heard across Eastern Oregon.
The Pentagon says it will no longer try to block construction of a massive wind farm in Gilliam and Morrow counties. At stake were millions of dollars in spending and hundreds of jobs.
It’s in Massachusetts, not Oregon. But considering there’s at least one proposal to build an offshore wind farm along our coast, I think this is a read-worthy story.
Associated Press: Gov’t OKs 1st US offshore wind farm
By approving the project, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is also rejecting arguments that the project will harm wildlife, fisheries and scenic values.
Wind turbines in Eastern Oregon. Photo by John Womack.
When it comes to building wind farms in Oregon, the size of the project really does matter.
Small wind farms, those producing 104 megawatts or less, go before county governments for approval. Larger wind farms require state permission. The process is very different, depending on which government makes the decision. The state process involves consulting with ODFW on impacts to wildlife and is more expensive.
So what’s to stop a wind developer from taking a big wind farm and breaking it up into smaller projects to avoid state regulations?
Not much according to some environmental groups.
Eastern Oregon turbines. Photo by Ted Timmons.
The growing debate over wind farms and their impacts on the environment were laid out before a group of state regulators Friday afternoon in Hood River.
The Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) is being asked to clear up confusion over how to define a “large” wind farm. It’s important because large projects are regulated by the state, while smaller projects are controlled by counties. The state process is more complex, costs more, and has tougher environmental standards.
Environmental groups says some developers are artificially breaking up large wind farms into smaller projects so they can dodge state regulations. They want the EFSC to adopt new rules that will make it harder to do that.
The House is expected to vote this week on changes to Oregon’s Business Tax Credit. Better known as BETC (pronounced Betsy), the tax credits have played a huge role in boosting renewable energy in the state.
BETC has turned out to be so popular, that legislators are now worried the credits have become too expensive. Late Friday, the House Revenue Committee approved HB 3680, an updated version that’s designed to control costs and close some loopholes. And unlike a 2009 attempt that was vetoed by Governor Kulongoski, this time he’s okay with the changes.
General Electric says it’s signed a $1.4 billion dollar deal to build and supply turbines for a massive wind farm near Arlington.
Called the Shepherd’s Flat Wind Farm, it covers about 32,000 acres in Gilliam and Morrow counties. GE says it will provide 338 turbines that will produce about 845 megawatts of power. Construction is expected to take place in 2011 and 2012. GE adds this is the single largest order ever for its turbines.
Shepherd’s Flat is being developed by Caithness Energy of New York, which in recent years has become focused on building mostly renewable energy projects.
Save Money On New Light Bulbs
Energy Trust of Oregon is sponsoring state-wide discounts on compact fluorescent light bulbs. No coupon necessary. Retailers across the state are dropping prices. For a complete list of where to get the discount, see this story from the Salem Statesman Journal.
Maybe The Dam Should Stay
Some in Jackson County think tearing down the Gold Ray Dam is a bad idea. A candidate for county commissioner says a repaired dam could provide revenue for the county by producing electricity. From the Medford Mail Tribune.
29 Years Later And It’s Still A Mess
The Army Corps of Engineers starts work this month on removing a million cubic yards of silt from the Cowlitz River. The silt comes from Mt. St. Helens, the result of the “clear cut” explosion from about 29-years ago. The Corps continues to work on a long range silt control plan. From the Longview Daily News.
MONDAY’S STORIES
Did LNG Company Get A “Too Good To Be True” Deal For Land?
LNG opponents are raising questions about a land deal struck between the Port Of Astoria and Oregon LNG. The company is leasing 92 acres of land from the Port for about $38,000 a year. Critics say it should be a lot higher. From the Daily Astorian.
Proposed Wind Farm May Be Doomed By Endangered Bird
Plans to build the first wind farm in Western Washington are running into trouble. The site in Pacific County, called Radar Ridge, is on the flight path of the marbled murrelet. The murrelet lives mostly on the ocean, but nests in coastal forests. From the Longview Daily News.
What We Lose If The Dam Goes
Salmon counts on the Rogue River are considered some of the best in the region. That’s because biologists can count live salmon as they pass through the Gold Ray Dam. But Jackson County wants to remove the dam, perhaps as soon as next year. When that happens, officials will have to rely on counting methods that are not as accurate nor up-to-date. Still, they don’t mind. From the Medford Mail Tribune.
Thinking About Sewers
Coburg is one of the largest towns in Oregon without a sewer system. City officials say that’s limiting Coburg’s ability to grow and threatens the water supply. But building a sewer system would cost about $25 million and residents are in an uproar. From The Eugene Register Guard.
