September 06, 2023

Wyden, Merkley: Nearly $2.3 Million to Help Rural Oregon Business Owners, Farmers and Ranchers Lower Energy Costs, Generate Income, and Expand Operations

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Oregon businesses and organizations will receive a combined nearly $2.3 million for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will lower their energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen the resilience of their operation.

This funding is made possible in part by the Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combatting the climate crisis.

“We can address high energy prices due to the volatility in the price of oil and natural gas by bolstering our clean, domestic energy supplies in every nook and cranny of our state and across the nation,” said Wyden, who created an online hub of resources for Oregon counties, businesses, and organizations to take advantage of the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “I was proud to have fought for and secured some of the most consequential pieces of the Inflation Reduction Act to tackle the climate crisis and create new jobs, but one of my main goals was to ensure that rural farmers, ranchers, businesses and organizations could benefit from the cost savings. I’m gratified to see so many Oregonians getting much-deserved benefits.”

“Oregon’s communities—both big and small, urban and rural—make our state successful and vibrant,” said Senator Merkley. “Investing in Oregon’s small businesses, farmers, and ranchers supports strong local economies, especially in the more rural parts of the state. The benefits of these investments stretch to every corner of Oregon, and I’ll continue to champion critical support like this for Oregon’s rural economic opportunities.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $266 million in 1,334 renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects nationwide. The Department is awarding the loans and grants through the Rural Energy for America Program, including funding from the landmark Inflation Reduction Act. These grant funds will be allocated in Oregon as follows:

  • $1 million to install a 2.95 megawatt ground-mounted solar photovoltaic renewable energy system for Verde Light Community Solar LLC in Ontario. The system will generate more than 8 million kilowatt-hours per year, the equivalent needed to power 750 single-family homes annually. The solar array will provide $121,170 a year in energy cost savings to local subscribers.

  • $126,756 to install a 108 kilowatt roof mounted solar photovoltaic system on top of a barn at Summit Ace Home and Garden a small business in the rural city of Lebanon. The solar array will replace 100% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $11,863 per year.
  • $223,096 to install a 303 kilowatt roof mounted photovoltaic solar system at Dickman Farms Inc. in Silverton. The solar array will replace 97% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $47,840 per year.
  • $100,000 to Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District, Spark Northwest, North Fork John Day River Watershed Council and the Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District to increase implementation of renewable energy generation by rural small businesses, farms, and agricultural producers throughout the state of Oregon.
  • $100,000 to the University of Oregon's Resource Assistance for Rural Environments AmeriCorps Program to work with area partners to increase implementation of renewable energy generation by rural small businesses, farms, and agricultural producers throughout the state of Oregon.
  • $103,805 to install a 95.06 kilowatt roof mounted solar photovoltaic system on top of Columbia Gorge Toyota in The Dalles. The solar array will replace 64% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $6,559 per year.
  • $96,384 to install a 125.5 kilowatt roof mounted solar photovoltaic system on top of G&C Farms Inc. in Salem. The solar array will replace 93% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $23,599 per year.
  • $53,264 to install a 54.88 kW roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system at Scott Locke Construction Inc., a small business in Estacada. The project annually will save the business $7,535.
  • $26,848 to install a 25 kilowatt roof mounted photovoltaic solar system on top of a barn at Campfire Farms LLC in Mulino. The solar array will replace 99% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $3,626 per year.
  • $28,273 to install a 15 kilowatt ground mounted photovoltaic solar system for Converging Creeks Farm in Colton. The solar array will replace 87% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $2,164 per year.
  • $16,000 to install an 11.88-kilowatt roof-mounted solar PV on top of a barn at Camas Swale Farm Inc in Eugene. The solar array will replace 50% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $1,060 per year.
  • $46,744 to install a 44-kilowatt roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system at Prescott Honey Farms LLC in Lebanon. The project annually will save the business $5,262.
  • $24,557 to install an irrigation pump and a 46.6-kilowatt  roof mounted photovoltaic solar system on top of a barn at Mueller Farm LLC in Salem. The solar array will replace 62% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $6,253 per year.
  • $42,900 to install a 39 kilowatt roof mounted solar photovoltaic system on top of Northwest Seed and Supply Co. in Gaston. The solar array will replace 90% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $7,237 per year.
  • $16,490 to install a 25 kilowatt ground-mounted solar photovoltaic system at the edge of an orchard in a field that is currently unused at Elliott Prairie Farm in Woodburn. The solar array will replace 100% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $2,081 per year.
  • $20,000 to install a 15.12 kilowatt roof-mounted solar photovoltaic on top of Hot Beaver Presses Inc. in Canby. The solar array will replace 100% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $2,244 per year.
  • $16,450 to install a 14.4-kilowatt roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system for the roof of Simple Pulse LLC. The solar array will replace 100% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $1,495 per year.
  • $20,000 to help La Creole Orchards purchase and install a 7.6 kilowatt ground-mounted solar photovoltaic system. The solar array will replace 100% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $3,544 per year.
  • $16,858 to help Rivers Edge Winery purchase and install an 8.6 kilowatt  roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system on top of an existing warehouse and office on their property. The solar array will replace 92% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $879 per year.
  • $10,423 to help Mouse Works LLC purchase and install an 8.7 kilowatt roof-mount solar photovoltaic system on top of their building in Toledo. The solar array will replace 57% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $748 per year.
  • $14,941 to help Reimer Nursery LLC purchase and install a 12.8 kilowatt  roof-mounted solar photovoltaic on top of their existing barn in Gaston. The solar array will replace 100% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $1,501 per year.
  • $19,756 to help Ross Tree Farm LLC purchase and install a 9.12 kilowatt  roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system on top of their building in Gaston. The solar array will replace 100% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $1,481 per year.
  • $9,592 to help Schneider Farms Inc. purchase and install a 13.2 kilowatt roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system on top of their barn in Mount Angel. The solar array will replace 67% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $1,237 per year.
  • $20,000 to help The Olive Branch in Dundee purchase and install a 22.51 kilowatt roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system on top of the building. The solar array will replace 100% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $3,046 per year.
  • $11,824 to help Tin Willow Sheep Dairy, a sheep and dairy farm in Lexington, purchase and install an 8.76 kilowatt roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system on top of the building. The solar array will replace 55% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $782 per year.
  • $14,456 to help Tiller Malt Co., a small grain malting facility in the rural town of Forest Grove, purchase and install a 13.5 kilowatt  roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system on top of the building. The solar array will replace 100% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $1,403 per year.
  • $20,000 to help Whistling Duck Farm LLC purchase and install an 18.25 kilowatt roof-mounted solar photovoltaic on top of their barn in Grants Pass. The solar array will replace 49% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $2,574 per year.
  • $29,602 to install a 29 kilowatt roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system at Arne Goddik Farms in Dayton. The solar array will replace 100% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $4,669 per year.

“The Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District is excited to join hands with Spark Northwest, North Fork John Day River Watershed Council, and the Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District in a groundbreaking partnership that is set to illuminate the future of renewable energy development in Oregon,” said Erin Kilcullen, District Manager, Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District. “With the backing of Senators Wyden and Merkley, and USDA Renewable Energy Development Assistance (REDA) funding, this dynamic project is primed to catalyze the adoption of renewable energy among rural small businesses, farms, and agricultural producers across the state.” -