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Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility East is an approved, but not-yet-constructed, 200-megawatt (MW) wind energy generation facility. The Facility is approved to include up to 66 wind turbines, up to 32 miles of two overhead, parallel 230 kV transmission lines, and other related or supporting facilities to be located within an approximately 4,582-acre site boundary in Umatilla and Morrow Counties. | Approved/Under Review. On January 30, 2024, the Oregon Department of Energy received Request for Amendment 1 (RFA1) to the Site Certificate for Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility East. In RFA1, the certificate holder requests Council approval to: - Expand the site boundary by approximately 74,403 acres, to 78,985 acres.
- Expand the micrositing corridors by approximately 10,058 acres, to 14,640 acres.
- Construct up to 41 additional turbines for a total of up to 107 turbines with a combined generating capacity of up to 300 MW.
- Modify the design of the 34.5 kV electrical collection system to consist of approximately 95 miles of underground line.
- Expand the maximum capacity of the Battery Energy Storage System by 10 MW, for a total of 30 MW.
- Realign previously approved 230-kV overhead transmission line within a new corridor.
- Construct up to 56 miles of additional new access roads, for a total of 76 miles.
- Construct one additional project substation to accommodate new generating capacity.
- Add a new temporary construction yard with up to 60 acres of temporary disturbance area.
- Extend the construction completion deadline by 3 years, from May 24, 2023, to May 24, 2026.
- Revise site certificate conditions.
On February 29, 2024, the Department issued the Draft Proposed Order on RFA1 and on the same date issued a Public Notice requesting comments on the DPO and RFA1. The DPO recommends approval of RFA1 subject to existing, amended, and new site certificate conditions. The Public Hearing on the DPO was held in person in Hermiston, on March 21, 2024, as well as virtually. The Energy Facility Siting Council reviewed the DPO at its April 19, 2024 meeting in Salem. Based on the comments received, the Department issued the Proposed Order on April 25, 2024 and concurrently issued the Public Notice on the Proposed Order and Opportunity to Request a Contested Case. The RFA1, Proposed Order, and Public Notice on the Proposed Order and Opportunity to Request a Contested Case are available below. The deadline to request a Contested Case is May 27, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
| WREFE facility components would be located in Umatilla and Morrow counties. WREFE is located approximately 16 miles northeast of Heppner. PDF Map I Online Map
| Applicant/Certificate holder:
Wheatridge East Wind LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources LLC. | ODOE contact:
Christopher Clark | Applicant/Certificate holder contact:
David Lawlor | |
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