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News Releases
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ELEVEN NEW AWARDS TO FUND RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT FEASIBILITY STUDIES
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7/14/2010
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Article Content
For Immediate Release
| Contacts: |
| | Rebecca Sherman |
| | (503) 373-2120 |
| | Kathy Shinn |
| Corrected | (503) 373-1033
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| #10-26 | In Oregon 1-800-221-8035
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The Oregon Department of Energy has issued 11 awards in a competitive process to study the feasibility of specific and new renewable energy, heat, and fuel projects in Oregon. Eleven projects in nine counties received funding ranging from $20,000 to $50,000, at a total commitment level of $351,000.
The purpose of the CREFF program is to encourage widespread adoption of renewable energy projects that reduce Oregon’s dependence on fossil-based energy sources and promote sustainable economic development. Studies may address initial resource assessments, siting and permitting requirements, transmission and interconnection, environmental footprint, and long-term economic viability.
“These funds help communities and businesses answer their first critical questions about developing renewable energy,” says Rebecca Sherman, Renewable Energy Development Coordinator at the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE). “With a feasibility study in hand, our awardees will have a solid financing platform and a road map to building their new projects.”
The Department of Energy issued renewable energy feasibility awards for eleven studies. Information about all of the awards is available online at http://oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/CREFF.shtml/. Three of the eleven awards are highlighted below:
Crane Wind and Solar Thermal Study (Crane School District, Harney County, $31,000)
The Crane School District will construct a wind-testing tower to help them design and build a wind turbine on school grounds. The school district also will examine opportunities for a solar thermal project to help heat water in the school cafeteria and campus dormitory.
Lakeview Heating District Study (Town of Lakeview, Lake County, $40,000)
The Town of Lakeview has ample geothermal resources and has already successfully implemented geothermal heating projects in large public facilities. With this award, Lakeview will map out the potential for a heating district, supplying geothermal heat to town businesses and buildings.
Wallowa Combined Heat and Power (Wallowa Resources, Wallowa County, $20,000)
Wallowa Resources transformed the old Wallowa County Hospital in Enterprise into the Wallowa Resources Stewardship Center. The Center will evaluate, design, and create a financing plan to build a combined heat-and-power boiler to heat the Center efficiently, fueled by biomass stocks such as briquettes.
A full list of awardees follows:
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Awardee
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Study Type
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County
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Community
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% of Total Cost
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Amount Awarded
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Wallowa Resources
| Biomass Combined Heat-and-Power
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Wallowa
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Enterprise
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68%
| $20,000
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Crane School District #1J and #4
| Wind and Solar Thermal
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Harney
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Crane
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69%
| $31,000
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Hot Lake Properties LLC
| Geothermal Power
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Union
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La Grande
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75%
| $28,500
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Old Mill Solar, LLC
| Solar Array
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Klamath
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Bly
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64%
| $23,000
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Philomath School District #17J
| Solar Array
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Benton
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Philomath
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75%
| $22,500
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City of Sisters
| Woody Biomass Heating and Manufacturing
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Deschutes
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Sisters
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72%
| $31,000
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Oregon Community Wind, LLC
| Wind Farm
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Lake
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Adel
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55%
| $40,000
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Crook County
| Solar Array
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Crook
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Prineville
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71%
| $20,000
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Town of Lakeview
| Geothermal Heating District
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Lake
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Lakeview
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60%
| $40,000
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DH&G Cascades LLC
| Solar Array
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Crook
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Prineville
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64%
| $45,000
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Mariah Wind, LLC
| Wind Farm
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Morrow
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Lexington
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74%
| $50,000
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TOTAL
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$351,000
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The CREFF program is competitive. More information is available on the ODOE website at http://oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/CREFF.shtml.
The program was established in 2007 with funds from a legal settlement between the state of Oregon and Reliant Energy. One million dollars of the settlement was set aside to provide financial assistance for feasibility studies for renewable energy projects that benefit Oregon energy consumers and local communities.
In 2009 the CREFF program issued its first round of awards at a total grant level of $171,500. These awards represented a range of renewable energy sectors throughout Oregon, and will result in six feasibility studies examining wind, bioenergy, hydropower and solar projects. To date, the program has committed over $650,000 to feasibility projects that provide the essential first step for renewable energy development in Oregon.
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