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If we are to achieve a full transition from fossil energy to renewable energy, wind power will have to play a significant role, especially in Oregon and the Northwest. All sources of energy, whether it is coal, hydro, wind or solar, require investment in infrastructure, including transmission lines. In Oregon, we will have to build some amount of new transmission to meet electrical demand. Currently wind power is one of the most economical and environmentally friendly options we have, especially in Oregon.

Regarding the proposed Shepherd's Flat Wind Farm, it is important to keep in mind that large, continuous developments of wind power are already in existence in Oregon. 500 MW of wind turbines are currently producing renewable energy near the town of Wasco, with more on the way over the next couple of years. It is not thought of a single wind farm because it has been built by multiple parties over several stages, but it will look like a single wind farm just as much as the Shepherd's Flat Wind Farm. There is a wind power development in Texas owned by several different companies that is 2500 MW and growing, so Shepherd's Flat would be the largest wind farm in the world in name only. It is also important to recognize that the wind turbines within these large wind farm developments are separated by large distances. The rows of wind turbines near Wasco, for example, are located in excess of a mile apart in most cases. Today's wind farms do not look like the old California wind farms that cloud our picture of wind energy.

I do think it is legitimate to ask "how much wind power do we want in Oregon and how much land will it require?" But we have to answer these questions in the context of all sources of power and our future energy needs.

Clint Johnson

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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