Oregon to harness wind power

LA GRANDE, Ore. – A Houston-based green power company has announced plans to build a $100 million wind farm in Eastern Oregon.

Construction at the site in Union County could start as soon as next year, according to officials with Zilkha Renewable Energy, and could sprawl over 150 acres.

Hilary Foote, the company’s project manager, said at completion the wind farm would have up to 70 wind turbines, generating up to 104 megawatts of power, enough to serve 25,000 homes. The power will be delivered via Idaho Power Company’s high-voltage transmission lines that run near the site.

Chris Taylor, Zilkha’s director of development, said the company has not yet finalized a purchase agreement for the power, and still needs to get a conditional use permit from Union County. An agreement with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on wildlife impact issues was signed Thursday.

Zilkha is leasing the site from about a dozen landowners in the area. If the wind farm produces as expected, the landowners will divide up to $300,000 a year in royalties.

Union County Commissioner John Lamoreau said the project, when fully developed, could yield between $500,000 and $700,000 per year in tax revenue.

Foote said the project will generate between eight and 15 year-round jobs, with an additional 200 people involved in construction.