June 26, 2009—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Wind Powering America program recently announced that two Washington state public utility districts, Cowlitz County PUD and Klickitat PUD, are co-winners of the 2009 Public Power Wind Pioneer Award. They were cited for outstanding teamwork and innovation in the development of the White Creek Wind Farm.
Cowlitz and Klickitat were selected from 16 public power utilities nominated for the award this year. This seventh annual award was created in conjunction with American Public Power Association (APPA) and the Demonstration of Energy-Efficient Developments (DEED) Program to recognize public power wind pioneers and leaders.
Covering 9,500 acres of ranchland in eastern Washington with 89 wind turbines, the 205-MW White Creek Wind Farm in Klickitat County, Washington, is one of the largest public power-initiated wind projects in the nation and produces enough electricity to power 38,000 homes, notes DOE.
Cowlitz and Klickitat own the majority interest in the project, 46 percent and 26 percent respectively. They joined with Lakeview Light and Power and Tanner Electric Cooperative in 2001 with the goal of developing local wind resources.
The innovative financing plan utilizing a group of private investors to capitalize on the Federal Production Tax Credits is the greatest success of White Creek, says DOE. The partners all signed 20-year agreements to purchase power from the new owners, with an option to buy the project back in 10 years.
