Oregon’s wind farms are not only growing in number, but size as well.
Portland General Electric Company completed the final phase their 450-Megawatts, 25,000 acre wind farm located in northern Oregon.
The project, totaling $1 billion, was constructed in three phases. The first phase, completed nearly three years ago, included 76 Vestas wind turbines and generated 125 Megawatts of power. 65 Siemens wind turbines were added as a second phase to create 150 Megawatts last summer. The current phase added 76 Siemens wind turbines for 175 more Megawatts of power.
This is just one of the many projects underway to help Oregon meet its renewable energy target of 25% by 2025. The PGE farm will account for 9 percent of the company’s total retail at the closing of 2010. Power agreements for PGE include Biglow Canyon and other previously set agreements.
Shepherd’s Flat, an 845-Megawatt farm, is also under construction. The largest wind farm in Oregon, and the United States, should be completed by 2012.
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For centuries farmers have used mechanical wind mills to pump life into ranches and farms across the country. However, an increasing number of producers are converting from old windmill to solar-powered systems.
According to windmill producers, many are making the change because it’s not only more efficient, but the cost of repair is far less. With windmills one repair is followed by another until you have invested thousands of dollars into repairs. Instead of making the repairs, farmers are using the money to invest in newer systems.
Solar-powered windmills have been on the market for 20 years and their efficiency has greatly improved during this time. Solar-powered windmills run anywhere from $4,500 to $10,000 and the average repairs on a traditional windmill cost around $5,000. Producers feel the solar-powered windmills are more durable and reliable than traditional ones. Farmers can collect water for days in case the sun is not out for a day and they need to water plants or feed animals.
Though windmill styles are changing, the technology has been used for so long that it is not expected that farmers will completely remove windmills from their farms.
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Though corporate wind farms are most popular these days, local communities are working together to create renewable energy for their own livelihoods.
In Wasco, Oregon (located on the eastern side of the state) a family of community members are building an independent wind farm. The $24 million project began construction this summer, but has been in the works for five years.
Ormand Hilderbrand is heading the project. Hilderbrand and family are dry land wheat farmers and have been in the Wasco area since the 1860s. The dry farm is now the location of the project where six wind turbines are being built. It is known as the PaTu Wind Farm.
The community is excited for the project. Paul Woodin, the executive director of The Dalles-based Community Renewable Energy Association anticipates similar projects across Oregon.
Hilderbrand’s project is the first of its sort without direct corporate sponsorship. There is no word on who will purchase the generated power.
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Mojave, California is hitting the news as the California groundbreaking ceremony for the world’s largest wind farm was completed. The governor said it is a sign of the state’s leadership in green energy.
Terra-Gen Power and California officials met for the groundbreaking ceremony for the 1,500-megawatt wind farm. The project will provide 1.1 million Californians. A reduction of an estimated 52 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions will result from the large wind farm.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said the state policies in renewable energy can be attributed for the project. He said, “Having the world’s largest wind project break ground in our state is tangible evidence that our pioneering policies are drawing investment, improving the economy and creating jobs now when we need them most.â€
When the 600 wind turbine project is complete, the wind-power capacity in California will rise by 25 percent. Not only will it increase the amount of wind-power capacity, but the project will also boost the local economy by providing jobs.
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BP Wind Energy announced it has entered a long-term power contract with the Public Service Company of Colorado to purchase 250 megawatts of renewable energy from Cedar Creek II, LLC.
Cedar Creek II is a wind farm that will be located about 20 miles north of New Raymer in Weld County. It will be due east of the current 300.5 MW Cedar Creek I wind farm. “Today’s announcement is an important milestone for the landowners, county officials and many others in Weld County who have continued to support this project throughout its development,†said John Graham, president, BP Wind Energy. “A power purchase agreement with PSCo enables BP to help the State of Colorado achieve its aggressive renewable energy portfolio target of 30% by 2020.â€
The Cedar Creek II project is the second purchase agreement made from Xcel Energy’s 2007 Colorado Resource Plan. According to Xcel Energy vice president, this project will be the second largest of its kind in the state.
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Renewable energy is at the top of the Obama administration’s agenda as the country looks for ways to cut down its dependency on other countries and fossil fuels. The United States Department of Agriculture provides funding for renewable energy projects around the country as well as other groups such as the United States Department of Energy.
Oregon is the recipient of funding for three major biomass energy projects totally $3 million in funding from the United States Department of Agriculture.
Governor Ted Kulongoski said the federal funding will not only expand Oregon’s renewable energy production, but will also stimulate the job market.
Lakeview Cogeneration in Lake County is the first recipient of $1.7 million to produce heat for a sawmill and electricity for grid from wood waste. The Farm Power Tillamook in Tillamook County received $1 million for a project that uses manure from local farms to generate electricity. The final recipient is the Integrated Biomass Energy project in Wallowa County. This project was provided with $275,000 to use forest trimmings to create heat and energy with forest trimmings.
If you have a project you would like to be considered for federal funding, contact your county USDA office.
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Google may be best known for the famous search engine, but as of April 30, 2010 the company made its first investment in renewable energy.
The company has invested $38.3 million in two NextEra wind farms located in North Dakota. The farms generate 169.5 megawatts of power, that is enough power for 55,000 homes.
Since 2009 Google has taken an interest in renewable energy after investing money in to PowerMeter, a service that allows people to monitor how much energy they consume. Google has also invested money in solar power companies eSolar and Alta Rock. As one of the leaders in Internet companies the investment may not seem as off as it could appear at face value.
Renewable energy is a growing trend across the United States in an effort to become a resource-independent country. It is one of the Obama administration’s most popular goals for his term in office as well. Wind farms are popular and an innovated way for farmers to make money aside from traditional crops.
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The American Farm Bureau Federation said it stands behind the Grow Renewable Energy from Ethanol Naturally (GREEN) Jobs Act of 2010. The legislation was recently introduced to Congress by senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Kent Conrad (D. North Dakota). The GREEN Jobs Act of 2010 is another effort to move America towards energy independence.
Producers often plant crops for renewable energies because of government subsidies. This bill would extend the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit and the Small Ethanol Producers Tax Credit through 2015. It would otherwise expire this year. It also extends the Cellulosic Ethanol Production Tax Credit through 2015.
“Clean, renewable domestic energy will help American achieve long-term economic growth, create a cleaner environment and shield our economy from unreliable foreign energy sources,” AFBF President Bob Stallman said. “American farmers and ranchers are playing a bigger role in supplying our nation with the energy it needs through the production of agricultural-based, renewable energy resources. Tax incentives play a key role in the development and production of renewable energy.”
The extended incentives encourage diverse crops and price competition. The renewable energy industry appeared in the 1980s with the aid of tax credits and now produces over 10 billion gallons of fuel every year.
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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is conducting a survey to further explore results from the 2007 Census of Agriculture.
According to the census 20,000 farms and ranches said they produce their own energy. The On-Farm Energy Production Survey will not only confirm this information, but further explore what type of energy farms and ranches are producing and how much.
“Given the growing national interest in energy efficiency, this survey is especially timely,” Stephen Ropel, USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service New York Field Office director said. “The results will provide agricultural producers, policy makers and the public with factual data about the economic and environmental implications of on-farm energy production.”
The USDA is interested in the use of win turbines, solar panels and anaerobic digesters.
“This is a chance for farmers and ranchers to demonstrate the steps they are taking to reduce their carbon footprint and ensure the sustainability of our new land, water and air resources,” Ropel said.
Farmers and ranchers have until May 24 to respond to the survey that will be published in February 2011.
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The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) issued the annual wind industry market report for 2009 last week.
Oregon is now one of the leaders in wind energy. The addition of a wind farm on the west coast pushed the state above Minnesota, one of the leading states.
Currently Oregon sits at the fifth largest producer of wind energy. Over 2009 the country 5,700 new turbines which is enough power for 2.4 million homes. The survey also found that 1.9 percent of the national’s electricity comes from wind power.
Texas, Iowa, California, Washington and Oregon are the top wind energy-producing states.
Industry experts believe that wind power will grow even more this year with renewable energy standards going into effect in various states. 29 states already have such mandates. Turbines are mostly found on the Pacific Coast and in the Midwest according to the report.
Government subsidies are available for renewable energy additions. For more information visit your local Farm Service Agency office.
Looking to refinance before rates rise? Farm Plus has low-rate loans starting at only 2.95%! Lock in today before the national rates rise. Call 866-929-5585 or The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) issued the annual wind industry market report for 2009 last week. Oregon is now one of the leaders in wind energy. The addition of a wind farm on the west coast pushed the state above Minnesota, one of the leading states. Currently Oregon sits at the fifth largest producer of wind energy. Over 2009 the country 5,700 new turbines which is enough power for 2.4 million homes. The survey also found that 1.9 percent of the national’s electricity comes from wind power. Texas, Iowa, California, Washington and Oregon are the top wind energy-producing states. Industry experts believe that wind power will grow even more this year with renewable energy standards going into effect in various states. 29 states already have such mandates. Turbines are mostly found on the Pacific Coast and in the Midwest according to the report. Government subsidies are available for renewable energy additions. For more information visit your local Farm Service Agency office. Looking to refinance before rates rise? Farm Plus has low-rate loans starting at only 2.95%! Lock in today before the national rates rise. Call 866-929-5585 or visit our website for more information. Visit our website for more information.
