Repower Oregon Last updated: July 17, 2009

Did you know?

• Oregon's potential geothermal resources can power over 1.5 million homes. The state's potential unconventional geothermal resources could power another 41 million homes.
• Oregon ranks 2nd on the 2008 Energy Efficiency Scorecard, a state ranking put out by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
• The 909 MW Shepherd's Flat Wind Farm, planned in Oregon’s Gilliam and Morrow counties, will be one of the largest wind farms in the world.

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Clean energy jobs in Oregon

Oregon has one of the cleanest electricity grids in the nation, producing only 28% of its electricity from fossil fuels (compared with 71% nationwide). Still, there is room for improvement, and the continuing development of Oregon’s abundant clean energy resources should decrease the state’s reliance on fossil fuels even further.

One company is already contributing to the state’s clean energy mix and providing some economic benefits. Sanyo North America is constructing a 70-megawatt, silicon ingot and solar wafers-manufacturing facility in Salem, which is expected to open in October 2009, and will bring 200 new permanent jobs to the state. A recent report estimates that a $1.2 billion investment in these types of technologies can generate an additional 27,000 “green” jobs for Oregon over two years. And, this report only captures a portion of the service, construction, and technology jobs that will be created in the state by truly Repowering America.

Sources: EPA eGRID2007, Earth2Tech (October 16, 2008), Center for American Progress

Featured story

Stephanie M. of Bend works as a PV System Designer and Marketing Manager for the Bend-based solar energy provider Sunlight Solar. Her daily responsibilities include everything from commercial site surveys and photovoltaic system designing to overseeing the company’s marketing efforts. Stephanie’s undergraduate degree in Horticulture Science might not be the most common pathway into the clean energy business, but it has served her well: her former work with plants converting sunlight into nutrients has helped her understand the processes that solar cells use to convert sunlight into electricity. Stephanie is happy to be working in a field that is promoting a sustainable future. “Everyday I know that I'm helping promote a solution for our society/the world and that is a fantastic feeling when I'm heading to work in the morning,” Stephanie said.

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