Wind Turbines

Wind Turbines dot eastern Washington and Oregon       © Diane B Reed

Yesterday we made one of our periodic trips from Walla Walla to the Tri Cities in late afternoon. As we headed west, the sun glinted off the wind turbines as they slowly rotated in the Oregon hills just a few miles south of Route 12. There are hundreds of wind turbines crowding the hills, all the way to the banks of the Columbia River and beyond. On our way back after dark a sea of red blinking lights gives away their locations, looking like Christmas lights.

Wind turbine blade makes its way around Walla Walla                                             © Diane B Reed

For those of you who don't live in eastern Washington or Oregon, you should know that we have an abundance of sunshine and lots of wind. Wind turbines have sprung up all over eastern Washington and Oregon, and now line the Columbia River Gorge, butting right up to the Gorge's National Scenic Area. A new wind farm, the Lower Snake River Wind Project is under construction in Pomeroy, Washington, northeast of Walla Walla. For the next few months, the components of these huge turbines are making their way through our area. The scale of them is monumental. The newer generation of turbines are larger and move more slowly than their predecessors. In theory this—along with proper siting—lessens the threat to birds, a consideration for many of us birders. 

Wind turbines                                             © Diane B Reed

 I have somewhat mixed feelings about the turbines. While many people find them ugly, I find the design of these modern windmills to be aesthetically pleasing. They also allow other compatible uses of the land, particularly farming and grazing. They are certainly a growing source of energy which, along with hydroelectric, helps to provide green electricity at a very reasonable price. On the other hand, I'd like to keep some areas, like the scenic Blue Mountains, in their natural state.

Turbine blade makes its way through historic Dayton, Washington                                  © Diane B. Reed

The turbine components will be making their way through our area until the end of June. These huge loads dwarf the small towns that they pass through, like Waitsburg and Dayton. When they are installed they are expected to generate enough power for 100,000 homes. And the states of Washington and Oregon are nearing 2000 wind turbines each. Imagine that!