Green Briefs • More ‘solar highways’ coming

The Portland Tribune, Jul 9, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

JAIME VALDEZ / Pamplin Media Group file photo

The nation’s first highway solar project, at the Interstate 5 and Interstate 205 interchange, has been operating since December.

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The Oregon Department of Transportation wants to build the world’s largest highway-based solar energy complex in the Portland area. The $20 million development would produce 3 megawatts of electricity.

A prime site being considered is a state-owned hillside parcel along Interstate 205 in West Linn, north of the 10th Street exit.

ODOT is seeking to reduce its energy bill and maximize use of its highway rights-of-way by developing renewable energy. It is utilizing state tax credits and partnering with Portland General Electric, Oregon solar companies and others.

ODOT estimates the project would create 145 jobs. Construction could start in late summer.

The world’s largest solar highway project is currently a 2.8-megawatt complex in Germany.

ODOT completed the nation’s first highway-based solar project in December, a 104-kilowatt system near Tualatin and the Interstate 5/Interstate 205 interchange.

ODOT also is considering a $13.6 million solar highway project in Southern Oregon, an $11.1 million solar project and interpretive display at the Baldock rest area south of Wilsonville, and a $1.4 million expansion of its Tualatin solar project.

Greywater restrictions eased

A new law, initially pursued by Portland-based Central City Concern, will legalize the reuse of greywater in Oregon.

Property owners will be able to legally harvest wastewater from bathing and laundry, then treat the water and reuse it for irrigation and other outdoor applications.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will create a greywater-use permit process in the coming year, to reflect the new standards.

Passage of House Bill 2080 is the culmination of a two-year effort by Central City Concern and other partners to improve water conservation at multifamily buildings. Central City Concern manages more than 1,400 affordable housing units.

The nonprofit teamed with the Cascadia Region Green Building Council and other groups to produce a detailed report called Achieving Water Independence in Buildings.

It can be viewed at http://ilbi.org/resources/research/water/oregon.

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