Salem, OR – June 16, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Today Governor Ted Kulongoski and Senator Ron Wyden broke ground at ZeaChem, a new cellulosic biofuels facility, and toured Shepherds Flat Windmill Farm, which broke ground late last month on the first of three phases.
“Both of these new developments tell a great story,” Governor Ted Kulongoski said. “It’s about jobs. It’s about clean energy. It’s about our entire nation’s energy future.”
“Today, we celebrate two facilities that will reduce our reliance on oil, create jobs and further enhance Oregon’s reputation as the green energy capital of the world,” Senator Ron Wyden said. “This is great news for the nation, for Oregon and for the people of Eastern Oregon.”
ZeaChem Inc. is developing a biorefinery for the conversion of renewable biomass into sustainable fuels and chemicals in Boardman, Oregon. When fully operational, the refinery will produce 250,000 gallons of cellulosic biofuels per-year with the goal of building commercial scale biorefineries upon successful operations at the Boardman facility.
The Oregon Employment Department calculates that the construction and operation of ZeaChem’s Boardman biorefinery will create 292 direct and indirect jobs in Oregon, 167 of which will be located in Morrow County.
Shepherds Flat is the largest windmill project in the country, creating 700 construction jobs and an estimated 44 permanent jobs. Construction began on May 21st on the first of three phases and is estimated to be completed in late 2012. When fully operational it will produce 772 MegaWatts of wind energy.
“Today also tells a story about the power of collaboration,” the Governor continued. “State policies coupled with investments from the federal government, local governments, private sector partners and landowners created the environment in which these two companies could take a vision and make it a reality. As a result, these communities will see new jobs, new clean forms of energy and new opportunities that better our state and our nation.”
Both projects received precertification for the State Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC). ZeaChem received a competitive federal grant of $25 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Contacts:
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-6169
Jillian Schoene, 503-378-5040
Rem Nivens, 503-378-6496
