The following commentary is from an editorial that appeared recently in the Vancouver, Wash., Columbian. It does not necessarily reflect the views of The Spokesman-Review editorial board.

With the mighty Columbia River funneling about 90,000 cubic feet per second into the gorge, many Northwesterners have difficulty imagining another natural source of energy. But the same force that blows hats off their heads is becoming more popular as the search intensifies in this region for cleanly produced power.

As reported in The Columbian, La Center investor Chris Crowley is negotiating with PacifiCorp for a deal to build 63 gigantic wind turbines on the hills overlooking the river west of Arlington, Ore. In fact, about 15 companies are vying for wind power deals in Eastern Oregon. The $120 million project is important to Crowley. But it’s also important to the entire Northwest because it signals the growth of wind-produced power. We wish Crowley and the other firms well in their business ventures because this trend will lead to cleaner air.

Two possible concerns about wind turbines – danger to birds, and cluttering the views in the scenic gorge – are easily addressed. Wind turbines have been extensively modernized, reducing possible bird loss to such a low risk that the National Audubon Society advocates tax incentives for wind farms. As far as possibly detracting from gorge scenery, the wind farm that Crowley is proposing would be more than 30 miles east of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the eastern edge of which is near Biggs, Ore.

We’re not saying these wind turbines won’t be noticed. With each one extending the equivalent of more than 20 stories into the sky, they’re hard to miss. But whatever distraction wind turbines may present (some folks consider them fun to watch, almost enchanting) is certainly worth the advantages provided by wind energy. Already across America, wind turbines are producing enough pollution-free energy to serve more than 1 million homes.

So bring on the steady whoop-whoop-whoops of wind turbines. The time is rapidly expiring for producing energy by burning coal and gas. Power producers increasingly will have no choice but to stop digging, combusting and damming and start reaching up, to harness the free and clean wind.