October 26, 2018

Merkley, Wyden Announce Renewable Energy Grants Across Oregon

The grants support projects in rural parts of the state, using natural resources to save money on energy

PORTLAND, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that nearly $428,000 in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants will support renewable energy projects across Oregon.

“By making a one-time investment in renewable energy, these Oregon farms, ranches and other businesses together will save over $100,000 on their utility bills each year,” said Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development. “Investing in our planet’s future is good business—creating thousands of dollars of savings on businesses’ energy costs. Renewable energy is good for our economy and good for our planet, and I will continue to use my seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee to support these important grants.”

“These renewable energy grants earned by rural Oregon businesses will generate significant savings for local companies throughout our state that benefit both the economy and the environment,” Wyden said. “Solar and hydro are significant pieces of our country's energy mix and big pieces of our greener future, and I am proud to support these projects that point the way toward a clean energy economy.”

The USDA Rural Energy for America Program provides grants and loans to farmers and businesses for energy efficiency improvements and to purchase renewable energy systems. Nine projects in Oregon were awarded $427,739 to install projects that will generate a total of 901,160 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy each year:

Triple Creek Ranch, Joseph: $108,625 award for a $434,500 hydro turbine project that will generate 153,172 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity per year, which is enough to power 14 homes. The 85-kilowatt hydro turbine will replace 95 percent of the business’ current energy use and reduce its utility bill by $18,381 per year.

Greater Northwest Nursery, Silverton: $98,779 award for a $499,116 solar array project that will generate 270,895 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity per year, which is enough to power 25 homes. The 250-kilowatt solar array will replace 64 percent of the nursery’s current energy use and reduce its utility bill by $27,089 per year.

Hanna Limited Partnership, Roseburg:$60,923 award for a $259,050 solar array project that will generate 109,197 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity per year, which is enough to power nine homes. The 94-kilowatt solar array will replace 14 percent of the business’ current energy use and reduce its utility bill by $9,827 per year.

Chapin Dehydrating, Salem: $60,082 award for a $240,327 solar array project that will generate 128,006 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity per year, which is enough to power eight homes. The 507-kilowatt solar array will replace 104 percent of the business’ current energy use and reduce its utility bill by $16,114 per year.

Alpine Solar, Enterprise: $49,896 for a $199,584 solar array project that will generate 113,390 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity per year, which is enough to power 12 homes. The 125-kilowatt solar array will replace 66 percent of the business’ current energy use and reduce its utility bill by $11,405 per year.

Taylor Farm, Silverton: $20,000 for a $199,946 solar array project that will generate 95,340 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity per year, which is enough to power nine homes. The 78-kilowatt solar array will replace 97 percent of the business’ current energy use and reduce its utility bill by $10,788 per year.

Myrtle Creek Farm, Myrtle Creek: $10,937 award for a $44,908 solar array project that will generate 9,721 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity per year, which is enough to power one home. The 7-kilowatt solar array will replace 97 percent of the business’ current energy use and reduce its utility bill by $6,576 per year.

Persephone Farm, Lebanon: $9,342 award for a $37,370 solar array project that will generate 8,779 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity per year, which is enough to power one home. The 7-kilowatt solar array will replace 91 percent of the business’ current energy use and reduce its utility bill by $1,059 per year. 

Groundswell Farm, Langolis: $9,155 award for a $37,620 solar array project that will generate 12,660 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity per year, which is enough to power 1.5 homes. The 10-kilowatt solar array will replace 99 percent of the business’ current energy use and reduce its utility bill by $1,147 per year.