Oregon’s Renewable Energy Dawn
In the heart of the Pacific Northwest, where the mighty Columbia River meets the salty breath of the Pacific Ocean, a quiet revolution is taking place. The green spaces that have long defined our beautiful Beaver State are becoming more than just picturesque vistas; they are transforming into the engine of our future power. Rolling acres of wheat fields in Morrow County, the persistent winds that tease Hood River’s kitesurfers, the sunny skies over Bend’s Deschutes Brewery—these are no longer just facets of the Oregon experience, they’re powerfully contributing to Oregon’s renewable energy boom and shaping our state’s future.
Harnessing the Winds of the Gorge
Point your Subaru east from the eccentric labyrinth of Powell’s City of Books, drive past the snow brink of Mount Hood, and you’ll hitch a ride on mother nature’s breath at the windswept expanse of the Columbia River Gorge. The same gusts that can lead a hat on an unexpected journey down a Portland sidewalk are channeled here with a force that brings world-class windsurfers skipping across the Columbia’s blustery rollers.
But these winds are not just for the thrill-seekers. With over 400 wind turbines stretching their sleek, white arms to the sky, the Shepherds Flat Wind Farm in Eastern Oregon converts gusts into a formidable 845 megawatts of clean, renewable power. This wind farm alone creates enough juice to keep the neon lights of Voodoo Doughnut aglow and still power nearly 250,000 homes annually.
The Golden Grains of Morrow County
When you drive over the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks, the lush evergreen forests make way for the golden sea of wheat fields in Morrow County. Instead of Christmas trees and huckleberry pies, think more along the lines of the versatile straw that breaks the camel’s back or powers Oregon. In Boardman, a quaint town nestled in a bend of the Columbia River, the Pacific Ag’s biomass facility uses agricultural waste, like those golden wheat straws, to produce cellulosic ethanol—turning waste into worthwhile energy. The same straws that may have once been waste cluttering our lovely Willamette Valley farm fields are given new life, supplying the state with renewable biofuel.
Soaking Up the Sun in Central Oregon
Oregon isn’t exactly known for its scorching temperatures—we’re more duck (and Duck) than desert, after all—but we’ve got our fair share of sunny days. In Deschutes County, where sunny vistas inspire the brewed-in-Bend goodness of Deschutes Brewery’s crisp Fresh Squeezed IPA, that golden sunshine isn’t going to waste. The Deschutes Solar Project, already in progress, aims to convert those cheerful, sunshine-filled days into a gleaming array of renewable energy. A pint of your favorite IPA could soon owe its existence, not just to the local brewmaster, but to the energy gifted by Sol himself.
The Tide is Turning for Oregon’s Energy Future
Oregon’s renewable energy boom represents much more than just the wholesome commitment to our environment that the Tillamook Creamery brings to every cube of its medium cheddar cheese—it speaks volumes about the Oregonian spirit. We care for our trees like a Portlander tends to their sustainable rooftop garden; we protect our rivers like a Bend local saves the last sip of their craft IPA for a sunset cheers; and we cherish our coastline as enthusiastically as a Seaside candy-maker pulls a fresh pile of saltwater taffy.
From the ripple of the Willamette River as it winds past Eugene to the serene stillness of Crater Lake, Oregon’s intimate connection to its local environment is driving a renewable energy resurgence that will help shape our shared future. So, the next time you find yourself reaching for a Ninkasi Total Domination IPA or preparing for a hike on the magnificent Pacific Crest Trail, consider how each gust, grain, and ray of sunlight in our beautiful state is not only a testament to the raw beauty of Oregon, but also a critical part of what powers it, from majestic Mount Hood to the craggy caves of the Oregon Caves National Monument. As we embrace this exciting new chapter, one thing’s for certain: the future looks set to be as bright and bold as the pioneering spirit of Oregon itself. Now isn’t that just the bee’s knees!