9/18/08 Bend
 
by Ariel Wesler
 
Davenport power is in charge of the Newberry Geothermal Project. It's a controversial project to drill for geothermal energy on the western flank of the Newberry volcano about 25 miles south of bend.
 
The Oregon Department of Energy held a public informational meeting Thursday Night at the Deschutes County Service Center to answer any questions about the project. Davenport Power is applying for a site certificate with the state to eventually build a 120 megawatt geothermal power plant, but so far, they haven't found a signficant amount of steam. Geothermal is a renewable energy process used to convert steam found beneath the earth into electricity.
 
"Geothermal has the advantage of being available about 95 percent of the time, typically. So, you know, it goes around the clock," said Doug Perry, President of Davenport Power.
 
"Do we want a full scale industrial plant right on those slopes that's going to have impacts and could potentially jeopardize those hot springs,” said Asante Riverwind, Sierra Club member. “To me, the only thing green about it that can be legitimate is the money."
 
"For sure the jobs that are created and the property taxes that the plant will pay will probably be one of the bigger taxpayers in the county, so that will be an annual benefit,” Bend Resident Mark Herbert said.
 
Davenport Power has a contract with Pacific Gas and Electric in California. Oregon would receive up to 30 million dollars in royalties and Deschutes County would receive an additional 15 million over 20 years.
The total cost of the plant is estimated around 400 million dollars. The Oregon Department of Energy will hold public hearings and conduct an environmental impact study before any decisions are made.

Click on this link for more information on the Newberry Geothermal Project.
 
http://www.newberrygeothermal.com/