Oregon Public Broadcasting

Windpower businesses in Oregon will receive more cash than those in any other state in a first round of government clean-energy awards. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

The Treasury says the Wheat Field and Pebble Spring wind farms in Arlington, and the Hay Canyon wind farm in Moro, will receive a combined $135 million in stimulus cash.

Texas received the second biggest award at $114 million.

Matt Rogers, with the federal Department of Energy, says the money is both to stimulate the economy and wean the country off traditional energy sources.

Matt Rogers: “The 12 projects highlighted today comprise 840 megawatts of generation capacity. That’s a 3 percent increase in U.S. renewable generation capacity, just from this group of the first 12 projects.”

Seven other states were given stimulus money in this first round of awards. But the program is scheduled to continue until 2011 and businesses in 35 states have applied for help.

Online:

http://www.treas.gov/recovery