Friday, Oct. 10, 2008

Wind power buy to help utility meet renewable energy mandate

By John Trumbo, Herald staff writer

The Benton Public Utilities District is throwing $11 million into wind power.

The utility's decision to purchase a portion of the White Creek Wind Project in Klickitat County will help the Benton County utility satisfy a government mandate to invest in renewable energy.

Commissioners decided to take funds from the PUD's $46 million in reserves to acquire the 3 percent share of Klickitat PUD's 16 percent ownership of the White Creek Wind Project.

Karen Miller, PUD spokeswoman, said in a statement Thursday that the purchase gives Benton PUD access to a maximum of 6.14 megawatts. But it's expected that the actual production from wind power will be closer to 2 average megawatts, which is sufficient to meet the energy needs of approximately 1,070 homes served by Benton PUD.

The Energy Independence Act, which was passed by state voters as Initiative 937 in 2006, requires the PUD to have at least 3 percent of the utility's power from renewable sources by 2012, not counting hydro.

Miller said the investment in the White Creek Wind Project will help the Benton PUD meet the 2012 renewable energy mandate.

The White Creek Project has 89 wind turbines in the Columbia River Gorge, with a total capacity of 205 megawatts.

The project was developed by Cowlitz PUD, Klickitat PUD, Lakeview Light & Power and Tanner Electric Co-Op and began producing power in November 2007.