Renewable Energy Projects get Financial Boost, March 24

From solar panels atop a junior high school in the Yakima Valley to a wind project on the southern Oregon Coast, to a geothermal facility in Klamath Falls, 15 renewable energy projects are closer to reality thanks in part to funding from Pacific Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy program. Together, the 12 solar installations and one hydro, one geothermal and one wind project will receive up to $1.9 million in 2014. These projects will bring more than 2 megawatts of renewable energy capacity online. This is the eighth year Blue Sky customers have funded projects, which since 2006 have helped more than 60 facilities produce power and demonstrate the viability of renewable energy in their communities. Blue Sky customers have invested more than $6 million in projects during that time. Projects on the Oregon Coast include: City of Astoria Bear Creek Hydro, Astoria, Ore., $169,000, Hydro, capacity: 30 kilowatt; Oregon Institute of Marine Biology Marine Life Center, Charleston, Ore., $86,661, Wind, capacity: 10 kilowatt.