DoD withdraws opposition to wind farm off Oregon coast

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

"DoD says it will no longer oppose construction of one of the world’s largest green energy projects. Industry expects to hire more than 700 workers to complete project."

April 30, 2010

Washington, D.C. – A months-long stand-off came to a close today after the Deputy Secretary of Defense informed U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and U.S. Congressman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) that the Pentagon would no longer block construction of the Shepherds Flat Wind Farm in Oregon’s Gilliam and Morrow counties and would instead upgrade a nearby radar system which had until now put the project’s future in doubt. The announcement would also eliminate the threat to other planned wind farms in the area that is adjacent to the Columbia River.

“In allowing this project to go forward both the White House and the Pentagon have underscored their commitment to U.S. energy security,” said Wyden. “As I have said throughout this effort, blocking this project would have had a chilling-effect not just on Shepherd’s Flat but on private investment in new energy projects across the country. As a member of both the Senate Committees on Energy and Intelligence, I am convinced that national security and energy security are not only compatible they are one and the same.”

...

The Shepherds Flat wind farm will be the largest land-based wind energy project in the world, producing 845 megawatts of power, which is the equivalent of a nuclear power plant.

http://merkley.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/?id=D02CE5E6-0C40-43D8-A1BC-9CE9804DEB38

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

A wind farm producing as much power as a nuclear plant? That's cool stuff. About time we get serious about sustainable energy sources.

[Tahoma 2,292]

A wind farm producing as much power as a nuclear plant? That's cool stuff. About time we get serious about sustainable energy sources.

Agreed.

By the way, the project is located in north-central Oregon, nowhere near the Oregon coast.