Oregon near top of states for new wind power projects

PGE's Biglow Canyon wind project near Rufus in 2008. Continued construction of projects like this one helped Oregon rank second among states for installed new wind capacity in the third quarter of year.
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Oregon ranked second among states -- behind only Texas -- for the amount of wind power capacity installed in the third quarter, the American Wind Energy Association said today. And the state now ranks fifth for the total amount of wind power in place, with 1,659 megawatts. Texas leads the nation, with 8,797 megawatts. (One megawatt of wind power is about enough to power 200 homes.)

While the amount of wind power installed in the third quarter of this year is more than that installed in the same period of 2008, the industry association said wind turbine manufacturing is down compared with last year. And the association said the amount of wind power projects under construction right now is less than what was under way at this time last year, despite a boost from federal stimulus money.

In recent years, wind power has gone from meeting about 1 percent of the Oregon's energy use to about 7 percent, according to the Oregon Department of Energy. About 40 percent of the power Oregonians use comes from hydroelectric dams; another roughly 40 percent comes from coal. The remainder is from natural gas, nuclear and biomass sources.

On Wednesday, environmental activists will hold a http://oregon.sierraclub.org/goals/events.asp">rally against coal power, which is responsible for the release of climate-changing gasses, at noon in Pioneer Courthouse Square.

More: http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/10/oregon_near_top_of_states_for.html

ooops error in double posting.