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LUNA
POINT COMMUNITY WIND PROJECT
NWSEED and partners are developing Washington’s
first community-based wind project at Luna Point
near Goldendale, WA. The Luna Point Community Wind
Project is a unique partnership showcasing the
benefits of community collaboration to address
energy assistance needs and strengthen rural economies.
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PROJECT
STATUS
The project has been permitted and financing has been secured. Installation
is planned for 2008.
NEW! We have recently
published the Luna
Point Project Development Report that summarizes
our experience researching a wide range of technical,
financial and ownership strategies. This report
is intended to serve as a tool in which other
project developers can gain insight into the barriers
and opportunities to community wind development
in Washington State. |
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PROJECT
HISTORY
In February of 2004, NWSEED introduced the
idea of launching Washington’s first
community wind project to produce power to
meet regional needs as well as benefit low-income
rural citizens seeking energy assistance. NW
SEED began meeting with partners A World Institute
for Sustainable Humanity, Klickitat Public
Utility District, the Klickitat-Skamania Development
Council, Last Mile Electric Cooperative and
Our Wind Co-op to further discuss the idea
and form a project team.
In July of 2004, the partners executed a Memorandum
of Understanding to formally develop and seek
funding for the project. Shortly thereafter,
NW SEED and Last Mile Electric Cooperative
collaborated on submitting a grant proposal
to the United States Department of Agriculture’s
Renewable Energy Systems Program. In September
of 2004, the project was selected to receive
an award for the maximum amount eligible, $307,000
(25% of overall project costs). With this keystone
financing the project was officially kicked
off and a formal project team was formed.
COMMUNITY BENEFITS & PROJECT
GOALS
The primary goal of the Luna Point Community Wind project is to help alleviate the energy burden of Klickitat County low-income residents with wind power generation. By installing a wind turbine and donating the net revenue from power sales, the project will nearly double the number of households assisted through Operation Warm Heart, an energy assistance program administered by the Washington Gorge Action Programs and Klickitat PUD. A secondary but important goal is research into the technical, financial and regulatory context for community wind project development in Washington State.
The Luna Point Community
Wind Project builds critical relationships
to foster self-sufficiency
and create new revenue streams. While providing
critically needed assistance to people in need,
this project will strengthen ties between the
utility and the primary social service agency,
potentially leading to additional creative approaches
to community self-sufficiency.
A
MODEL ENERGY RECYCLING PROJECT
The Luna Point Community
Wind project will include the installation
of a 660kW wind turbine. The wind turbine will
be located at a site previously developed by
Bonneville Power Administration and the Department
of Energy for a wind demonstration project.
By using this previously disturbed site, the
project will minimize the environmental degradation
that can be associated with energy installations
and will serve as a model for recycling and
re-powering former energy facilities. Utilizing
the existing infrastructure will also result
in infrastructure and construction cost savings.
For more information on the project, contact:
Northwest SEED
site data
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