Governor Ted Kulongoski Press Release
Governor Ted Kulongoski recently announced $3 million in federal funds for three biomass energy projects in Oregon. These projects represent the seventh round of awards through the U.S. Department of Energy – State Energy Program. The program supports energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and is funded by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act).
“These projects and the federal support present an opportunity to expand the state’s biomass energy market that will increase Oregon’s renewable energy production and help local economies by creating job opportunities,” said Governor Kulongoski.
The three biomass projects receiving federal support are in Lake, Tillamook, and Wallowa counties. Those projects are:
– Lakeview Cogeneration, Lake County – $1.7 million
– Farm Power Tillamook, Tillamook County – $1.0 million
– Integrated Biomass Energy, Wallowa County – $275,000
If all permits and approvals are granted, the Lakeview Cogeneration LLC project will produce both electricity and heat to be used by the Collins Company Fremont Sawmill and Oregon electric utilities. The project could create 20 jobs in the facility and support an additional 50 jobs in the forestry industry. Similarly, the project in Wallowa County will improve forest health while generating electricity and heat for wood products companies that are co-located at the Wallowa County Wood Products Campus. As a result, this project will restore over time more than 7,000 acres of forest in northeastern Oregon.
The Farm Power Tillamook project will use waste from the area’s dairy farms to generate electricity in an anaerobic digester. The renewable energy will be used by the local utility district to serve customers in Tillamook County, while helping the area’s farm operations become more sustainable and help protect water quality in the area.
The Oregon Department of Energy administers the State Energy Program and announces recipients once a project is approved by the U.S. Department of Energy. Recipients must complete their projects by February 15, 2012.
Other projects funded under the State Energy Program include:
- 22 school projects for $531,042
- 21 eastern Oregon projects for $1.3 million
- 95 western Oregon projects for $7.25 million
- 6 large public entity projects for $1.5 million
- 18 renewable energy projects for nearly $6 million
- 40 lighting-only projects primarily for school districts for $6.3 million
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