Programs
OUR PROGRAMS ARE FOCUSED ON PROJECTS WITH TRIPLE-BOTTOM-LINE BENEFITS -- GIVING ATTENTION TO ECONOMY, ENVIRONMENT, AND EQUITY.
“Small scale energy projects such as micro-hydro, biomass heating, energy efficiency and solar, drive better community outcomes by keeping energy dollars circulating in the local economy, reducing energy burdens, and creating social and environmental benefits that go well beyond energy alone.”
— Matt King, Former WRCEP Program Manager
Energy Efficiency & Conservation
WRCEP believes that the primary focus of energy resource management should be conservation and efficiency. New generation is not necessary if we learn to use less of it in the first place. Conservation starts with education and awareness. A vast amount of electricity is consumed unnecessarily in ways that many people never consider. Efficiently using electricity where it is needed is our next tier of focus. Home insulation, modern windows and appliances can help homeowners save considerable electricity cost while reducing reliance of large scale generators. Farm, ranch and industrial energy efficiency projects provide value to landowners, businesses, customers and communities.
Micro Hydropower
Our Micro Hydropower program focuses on small scale projects within existing infrastructure systems, such as irrigation or municipal water systems, or small, steep steams with no fish. This means no new dams, no negative impacts to wildlife, and no changes in how and when water is used. These are non-consumptive systems as water simply “flows through” turbine(s) and goes on its way to historic uses. Often these projects combined with irrigation modernization add benefit to our farms and fish.
Solar Power
Solar development has been a cornerstone of the Energy Program since its beginning. We hosted early community education events and partnered with local contractors in highly successful Solarize (bulk buy) Campaigns for residential, business and Ag sectors. We have been highly successful at grant writing and finance sourcing for community and private projects. We actively support new Community Solar and Solar for Low-moderate income projects. And we operate beneath a roof with a 78-kw solar array.
Electrification
We are on front edge of developing local infrastructure to electrify fossil fuel systems such as expanding Electric Vehicle Charging Stations for cars, trucks and tractors and advancing uptake on Battery Storage Systems to operate in tandem with solar or hydro projects. In 2021 we will be leading the development of a Comprehensive Energy Planning Effort for Wallowa County.
Biomass
Biomass energy offers an important opportunity to offset fossil fuel use with a widely available and underutilized local resource in a classic Energy Plus scenario. It produces energy plus economic driver for biomass utilization plus incentives for financially feasible fire mitigation and forest restoration activity. Win, win, win. Biomass, in the form of a 400,000 BTU pellet-furnace provides 90% percent of our building heat.
