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News
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Ag hopes to save more energy from every drop of water
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9/22/2010
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Article Content Suggested lead
Oregon farmers and ranchers are looking to save energy when it comes to irrigation. Federal stimulus funds may result in some of them becoming energy efficient:
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Nearly a million dollars in grant money has been awarded to five applicants in Oregon who plan on helping irrigators become more efficient. These projects save energy which saves the grower money, says Stephanie Page of the Oregon Department of Agriculture:
PAGE: "Things like replacing a pump so the new pump uses less electricity or converting a diesel pump to an electric pump that is much more efficient, adding technology onto a pump that makes sure the motor only operates at the speed it needs to do the job, which can really save a lot of energy." :18
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The focus of the block grant program is to save energy. But there are additional benefits:
PAGE: "There will definitely be water savings from some of these projects. There could even be fertilizer savings because folks will be able to manage the water applications more efficiently." :11
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The five grants have been awarded to applicants representing growers in specific areas of eastern Oregon. ODA, the Oregon Department of Energy, and the US Energy Department all have played a role in directing the funding. Since irrigation is used on about half of Oregon's total crop land, being energy efficient could save a lot of money in the long run. In Salem, I"m Bruce Pokarney.
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PAGE says the source of the funds is federal stimulus dollars that hopefully will save energy, save money, and keep the economy going:
"The hope is that it will encourage people to buy more energy efficient equipment such as a pump or a soil moisture monitoring device- encourage them to invest in some of this equipment that is generally produced and assembled in the United States, and then to hopefully save money on their own operations." :19
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Additional audio: Audio 04
PAGE says growers are encouraged to take advantage of these block grant awards if they happen to be located in those areas that have received funds:
"They should contact the organization in their area that has received the grant and ask for more specifics about the program, and see if they can participate." :08
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Full story
http://oregon.gov/ODA/news/100922irrigation.shtml |
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