Pendleton Scores $2.5M for Clean Energy Upgrades

Pendleton, Oregon is about to get a whole lot greener, thanks to a $2.5 million clean energy windfall that will transform how the city powers itself.

The funding package includes $1 million from the state for battery storage, $1.5 million in federal money for wind turbines and a micro-hydroelectric system, and $70,000 for energy audits. Together, these investments will help city buildings generate their own clean power while slashing energy costs.

Kyle Willman, Assistant Public Works Director, says the battery system will do triple duty at one of the city's water wells. It will shift energy use to cheaper times of day, provide backup power during emergencies, and give operators more control over how they manage electricity.

The wind turbines and micro-hydroelectric system will be installed at the city's Resource Recovery Facility, which handles wastewater treatment. Instead of just processing waste, the facility will now generate its own clean electricity on site, making essential services more reliable even during power outages.

The city's Convention Center and City Hall will each get $35,000 energy audits to identify where they're wasting power. These assessments will guide future upgrades and help Pendleton meet new state building performance standards without breaking the budget.

Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden helped secure the federal funding announced in January. The state grants came through Oregon's Community Renewable Energy Program and Early Compliance Action and Planning Program, both designed to help communities transition to cleaner energy.

Pendleton is working with Ameresco, an energy solutions company, to bring the projects to life over the coming months.

The Ripple Effect

Small cities like Pendleton often face tight budgets and aging infrastructure, making big upgrades seem impossible. This funding proves that communities of any size can access clean energy technology when state and federal programs work together.

By generating power on site, Pendleton will reduce strain on the regional electric grid while building resilience against outages. The battery storage and renewable generation systems will keep critical services like water supply and wastewater treatment running even when the grid goes down.

Other small towns watching Pendleton's success now have a roadmap for securing similar funding. The combination of state grants, federal earmarks, and technical partnerships shows how communities can piece together resources to make renewable energy financially viable.

One Oregon city is proving that the clean energy transition isn't just for big metropolitan areas.

#