Feds loan $48 million for 6 Oregon solar energy projects
Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced Monday six Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) loans amounting to $48.2 million will help bring solar energy production to rural towns in Klamath, Lake, Deschutes and Clackamas counties, where solar facilities will produce enough electricity to power 11,289 Oregon homes and businesses.
“With this investment, clean, renewable, affordable energy will power rural communities across our state,” Merkley said. “I am thrilled to help improve the futures of rural Oregon and our entire country with this major investment in solar energy. I will continue to use my seat on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee to fight for support of clean and renewable energy–especially in these rural areas, with the power of the sun just waiting to be converted into affordable electricity. The more we make these investments, the better our chances in the fight against climate disruption.”
“The benefits of providing clean energy options for families and businesses in rural Oregon are as clear as a sunny day,” Wyden said. “These investments in solar energy production help to keep down electricity costs for our state’s rural residents, help the bottom line for small business and mark a vital step forward to combat climate change.”
REAP’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Loans and Grants provides loan financing or grant funding for energy improvement projects in rural areas. The electricity generated at these Southern and Central Oregon facilities and in Clackamas County will be sold to a local utility provider to supply residences and businesses with renewable energy.
In Klamath County, a 25-year, $10 million loan will be used for a $23 million solar energy facility in the town of Dairy. It will produce about 13.978 megawatts of renewable electricity annually, which is enough to power 2,534 homes there each year.
In Lake County, a 25-year, $10 million loan will be used for a $21 million solar energy facility in the town of Lakeview. Once operational, facility will produce about 13.723 megawatts of renewable electricity annually, enough to power 2,384 homes there each year.
In the town of Malin, in Klamath County, a 25-year, $10 million loan will be used for a $22 million facility that will produce about 13.213 megawatts of renewable electricity each year, powering 2,405 homes there annually.
In Deschutes County, a 25-year, $7 million loan will be used for a $21 million solar energy facility near the town of Redmond. It will produce about 14.045 megawatts of renewable electricity annually, which is enough to power 1,991 homes there each year.
In the town of Merrill, in Klamath County, a 25-year, $10 million loan will be used for a $18 million facility that will produce about 10.329 megawatts of renewable electricity each year, powering 1,898 homes there annually.
And in Clackamas County, a 14-year, $1.2 million loan will be used for a $2.4 million solar energy project in the towns of Boring and Canby. Once operational, project will produce about 839,800 kilowatt hours of renewable electricity annually, enough to power 77 homes there each year.
