Oregon Public Broadcasting

A proposed wind farm near White Salmon, Washington would obstruct views of the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area.

That’s what a National Park Service official told the Bonneville Power Administration as it reviews the proposed wind turbines.

That news comes as residents in eastern Oregon push back against wind turbines there.

Central Oregon correspondent Ethan Lindsey reports.

The Umatilla Planning Commission is debating a "No Turbine Zone" near the Blue Mountains.

Local residents want to designate the area as a "visual resource".

In the past few years, energy investors have come in force – wind now produces 3 percent of Oregon’s electricity.

But Oregon Rural Action executive director Andrea Malmberg say there’s a right way to do it, by providing jobs and tax revenues to the local community.

Andrea Malmberg: “The history of rural Oregon has been that we are very dependent on exporting our resources, whether it be timber, or beef, or now wind. We need to have a voice in what are our resources, and how are they going to benefit our communities, here."

Umatilla Planning Commissioners say they will debate the turbine ban for at least another month. If passed, it goes to county commissioners for a final decision.