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Thanks for having me on the show earlier today... 

One point we didn't have time to cover I want to offer for your listeners... In a broader discussion of the efficacy of renewable energy, it's important for Oregonians to note that resource diversity is essential for making renewable energy a major component of our energy supply. With some 1,200 MW of wind power located in the Columbia River Gorge today (and more on the way) that produces most of its power in the spring and summer, it's vitally important that diverse renewable resources be added to balance out that seasonal output. 

Our Harney County projects will produce more than 50% of their power during the months of Dec-March, when Gorge winds are still. 

ONDA may say "build it somewhere else," but there simply is no where else in Oregon where winds blow in those months the way they do on our site. 

Another point I hope is not lost in this: Harney County's economy is in desperate need of investment. They targeted renewable energy in their Comp Plan in 1985 - finally, with our projects, they will see that come to fruition.

As the Sierra Club's Carl Pope said in a recent visit to Portland, there's no more "free lunch" on renewable energy these days. All projects have impacts. Hopefully, people following our projects will consider the benefits of resource diversity our Harney County projects offer - with minimal impacts. 

posted 3 years, 9 months ago
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