Oregonian editorial makes good points on Echanis project
Posted on 11. Feb, 2010 by crowley in Blog, Renewable Energy News
The Oregonian’s lead editorial today bears the headline in its print edition: “Yoking Oregon’s wind where it may matter most.” The author understood the importance of balancing the spring-summer winds in the Columbia River Gorge with the winter-peaking winds at Echanis:
So here we are, listing in the Oregon wind, which rips hard through the Steens, especially in the winter months when Columbia Gorge winds diminish.
That’s a pretty good balancing act between wind venues.
They also note – after carefully examining visual simulations prepared for the EIS on our transmission line – turbines “dwarfed by the scale of the place and hardly so visible as many on display elsewhere in Oregon.”
The editors give us credit for our willingness to permit future projects in the area through the state permit process, which we are prepared to do, especially if groups who’ve so far opposed the project are willing to work with us on a “win-win” resolution to move forward.
Back to “balance…” The editors struck a hopeful tone, which we share:
So here we are, listing in the Oregon wind, which rips hard through the Steens, especially in the winter months when Columbia Gorge winds diminish.
That’s a pretty good balancing act between wind venues.
We hope for a like balance as we move forward. Siting, environmental and economic impacts — those subjects should make for the broadest possible conversations, seeing as so much of the land concerns us all.
The Oregonian has shown an openness to the project which we hope others will heed and follow.
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