A Scottish Power subsidiary, announced the construction of what will be the state's largest wind farm. The Klondike III wind project near Wasco, Ore., will use 44 2.3 megawatts (MW) wind turbines and 80 1.5 MW wind turbines to generate an expected 221 MW of electricity. The farm will be located in Sherman County; adjacent to PPM's existing Klondike I and Klondike II wind power plants. It is expected to be commercially operational sometime this year.
Elkhorn Valley will provide up to 101 megawatts (MW) of affordable, pollution-free electricity to the Northwest. 101 MW is equal to the annual energy requirements of approximately 30,000 homes. In addition to clean wind power, the Project will bring new jobs and an estimated $10 million over the next 20 years in local property tax revenues to Union County. Horizon Wind Energy plans to install 61 wind turbines over about 10,000 acres of open range leased from local landowners.

The wind farm itself will take up only about 150 acres. Wind energy can also help reduce the pressure on the Columbia River hydropower system. One 1.5 MW wind turbine will typically produce as much power in one year as 1.3 billion gallons of water. Wind energy projects require no water resources to operate, generate no pollution, and result in minimal additional traffic or demand for local government services.

The Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm will emit zero pollutants and greenhouse gases and will produce enough energy to power 30,000 average American homes. On average*, this amount of power in Oregon causes the emission of 83 tons of NOx, 85 tons of SOx, and nearly 50,000 tons of CO2. By providing carbon-free electricity, Elkhorn Valley will have an environmental effect equivalent to removing more than 10,000 cars from the road.

Biological studies conducted to date: And found that NO adverse environmental impacts are expected

Bald Eagle and Other Sensitive Wildlife Survey (3/2003-12/2003)
Avian Use Survey (03/2003-12/2003)
Avian Point Counts (03/2003-12/2003)
Raptor Nest Surveys (03/2003-12/2003)
Vegetation Mapping (03/2003)
Big Game Ground Surveys (12/2003-03/2004 and 12/2004-03/2005)
Big Game Aerial Surveys (01/2004 and 03/2004 and 03/2005)
Sage Grouse Ground Surveys (12/2003-03/2004 and 12/2004-03/2005)
Sage Grouse Aerial Surveys (03/2004 and 03/2005)
Sensitive Species Habitat Ground Survey (05/2005)

Portland General Electric's 125-megawatt Biglow Canyon comprises of 25,000 acres both in Sherman County. If PGE is allowed to proceed with the project it will produce between 350 and 450 megawatts of wind energy capacity at the site, which could produce enough electricity to power approximately 100,000 homes. It would be one of the largest wind power projects in the nation. PGE will hold wind easements from more than 23 private landowners in Sherman County for a term of 30 years or more The land is currently used as farm and pasture land and will largely stay that way since the base of wind turbines require very small footings.

UPC Wind on Wednesday applied with the state to build an $80 million, 60-megawatt wind farm about five miles west of The Dalles in Wasco County.

The Cascade Wind Project would involve 40 turbines stretching six miles along an exposed ridgeline. UPC Wind has proposed construction of 40 General Electric wind turbine generators at the Cascade Wind Farm site. Each turbine has a 1.5 megawatt production capacity. The total energy output of the proposed project could power as many as 12,000 homes. If approved, Cascade Wind will connect to Bonneville Power Agency's electricity grid.
Below is a list of wind farm proposals under review, Oregon Energy Facility Sighting.

Cascade Wind Project
Golden Hills Wind Farm
Lower Columbia Energy Center
Leaning Juniper Wind Power
Shepard's Flat Wind farm

Oregon is a leading example for renewable energy; Oregon's attempt to sway away from fossil fuels is a positive step in stopping GLOBAL WARMING. The construction of wind farms is nothing but a positive approach on new energy ideas, Ideas that will undoubtedly result in a healthier planet, an influx of jobs, and economic well being for industry and residential homes through decreases in energy costs and dangerous emissions into the air.
Being Green is the color of the future.