Renewable Energy

The Columbia Gorge’s natural potential has led to the development of a broader range of renewable energy production — solar, wind, biomass, fuel, and geo-thermal.  The hydropower facilities along the Columbia River and extensive investment into wind development has made our region an important center of renewable energy production.

MCEDD leads efforts related to the Columbia Gorge Bi-State Renewable Energy Zone (CGBREZ). CGBREZ was formed in 2008 to develop the Columbia Gorge region as a world-class center of renewable energy research, development, manufacturing and application of technologies. Public and private partners continue to collaborate around issues relevant to renewable energy development opportunities in the Columbia River Gorge. Contact energycoordinator@mcedd.org for more information.

In addition to CGBREZ, MCEDD provides staffing support to the Hood River County Energy Council. To learn more about that effort, visit the project’s information page here.

Goldendale Energy Storage

The Goldendale Energy Storage Project is the top Washington priority project in Mid-Columbia Economic Development District’s Economic Development Strategy. The proposed project would build  a closed-loop, pumped-storage hydropower facility with an upper and lower reservoir located about eight miles southeast of Goldendale, Washington. It would generate 1,200 megawatts of clean electricity while also storing the region’s abundant wind and solar electricity to use when it is needed. It is the result of more than two decades of work by community and private partners. It has widespread support for its potential to create jobs, generate millions in annual tax revenue, and support regional energy development.  Visit the project website for more information.