Pacific Power media hotline: September 11, 2019
1-800-570-5838 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oregon’s Wallowa Lake State Park showcases new “micro hydro” renewable energy resource at
public open house Sept. 28
Free event will feature family-friendly activities and a chance to peek inside the park’s new micro hydro Power House
JOSEPH, Ore. — Nestled amongst the campgrounds, snow-capped mountains and gleaming waters of Wallowa Lake State Park lives a brand-new attraction: a small log cabin with a big new idea for producing clean, renewable energy for the region. The recently completed Power House is home to a micro hydropower turbine that uses the flow of the existing municipal water supply line near the head of Wallowa Lake to generate a continuous source of power.
On Saturday, September 28, the public is invited to come get a special insider’s view during a free Power House Open House event. Tours of the micro hydro facility, short presentations and fun, hands-on activities for kids and families will provide a chance to learn more about the project. Guests can even take home a limited-edition bandana designed for the occasion.
The free event is hosted by Pacific Power, Wallowa Resources Community Solutions Inc., and Wallowa Lake State Park, who together with Energy Trust of Oregon, have helped bring the project to the park.
“Wallowa Lake’s micro hydro project highlights how we can work together to grow renewable energy resources right here in our own backyard,” said Lori Wyman, Pacific Power’s regional business manager based in Eastern Oregon. “Through our partners and our own Blue Sky participants, this project will support our community for years to come, and hopefully inspire the park’s many visitors too.”
Annually, the new facility is expected to generate around 150,000 kilowatt hours of clean energy – enough to offset about 85 percent of the power needed to pump fresh drinking water to 160 nearby homes and businesses. Pacific Power’s Blue Sky customers provided $60,000 in funding to the micro hydro facility as part of its community project grant program, which supports community-based solar, wind, geothermal and renewable energy projects across Pacific Power’s service area. The project also received an $80,000 incentive from Energy Trust.
“This project is a great example of using existing infrastructure and a local renewable resource to save energy dollars for the community and generate clean local energy,” said Kyle Petrocine, renewable energy program manager, Wallowa Resources.
Micro hydro works by converting the energy of moving water already used for irrigation, municipal or domestic use into mechanical energy, using a turbine. The turbine helps spins a generator which produces electricity. At the park, the new system directs water already flowing from State Park Springs through the Power House turbine before discharging back into the community water system. In cases where the community uses less water than the spring provides, the water eventually flows into Wallowa Lake.
Throughout the year, the Power House will welcome visitors with educational signage and windows allowing visitors to see the working turbine and generator from the outside in.
Event Information
Power House Open House, hosted by Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program, Wallowa Resources and Wallowa Lake State Park
Date: Saturday, September 28
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
How to get there: The event will be held at Wallowa Lake State Park, Wallowa Lake Hwy., Joseph, Oregon. Entrance to the event is from the Marina Parking Lot. Visitors can walk a short trail or ride a golf-cart shuttle to the Power House.
The event will also be held in conjunction with the community’s annual Alpenfest, taking place at the Wallowa Lake Marina the last weekend of September.
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About Wallowa Resources
Wallowa Resources Community Solutions Inc. (WRCSI) is an Oregon-based small business providing professional consulting services in renewable energy and natural resource-based business and economic development. As Wallowa Resources’ for-profit subsidiary, WRCSI creates and sustains small businesses and jobs tied to natural resources and renewable energy by providing capital, business services and technical assistance. WRCSI projects are characterized by a no-impact environmental footprint while providing community benefits in the form of improved bottom lines, county resilience and sustainable natural resource utilization. Learn more at www.wallowaresources.org or call 541-426-8053.
About Wallowa Lake State Park
Wallowa Lake is a glacial lake at the base of the heavily glaciated Wallowa Mountains. This range is in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and includes the renowned Eagle Cap Wilderness. Wallowa Lake State Park is a base from which visitors can explore the mountain country and the approaches to the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area on the Snake River.
The mission of the Parks and Recreation Department is to provide and protect outstanding natural, scenic, cultural, historic and recreational sites for the enjoyment and education of present and future generations.
About Pacific Power and Blue Sky
Pacific Power provides electric service to more than 740,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with 1.9 million customers in six western states Information about Pacific Power is available on the company’s website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages, which can be accessed via pacificpower.net.
Blue Sky is an opt-in program that gives Pacific Power customers the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint while supporting the development of new renewable energy. Through Blue Sky, customers can also invest in renewable energy projects for community-serving organizations. Since 2006, Pacific Power Blue Sky Block participants have supported more than 120 community-based solar, wind, geothermal and renewable energy projects across Pacific Power’s service area. To learn more, visit www.PacificPower.net/BlueSky.