Oregon is looking into providing geothermal power to local government, school, business and residential buildings as an alternative source of energy.

“We’re continuing to meet with the Port Authority to explore ways we can help create value for Oregon residents and businesses,” said Administrator Mike Beazley. “We’re looking at the Port Authority’s analysis. It’s especially applicable in those places where they’re not really served by natural gas. We started looking at parts of Oregon, really the northwest portions and some to the south and east that really don’t have natural gas options available. They’re served by propane or heating oil. So we’re looking at alternatives, and maybe even lower energy costs for residents and businesses.”

Oregon is also looking at converting energy in city buildings to geothermal energy, said Beazley.

“It would be funded as part of an Energy Department grant given to the Port Authority to create a loan or financing pool for local governments, schools and businesses to encourage energy retrofits,” he said. “And we are still going through that process. Besides geothermal, we’re also looking at some energy retrofits – changes to lighting, boilers and chillers - that would make our buildings more energy efficient and lower the cost to the taxpayers in operating our buildings. That’s one of the first steps we’re looking at. In the process, we are working with the Port Authority to see if there is a way to help our residents, who have contacted some members of city council with their own homes.”

Geothermal energy is power generated from the Earth’s heat. A loop of piping is installed 600 feet into the ground to harness the energy. The piping removes heat and humidity from a building in the summer, and absorbs heat from the Earth to warm a building in the winter.

The use of geothermal energy doesn’t necessarily translate into cheaper energy bills for everyone, said Beazley.

“It depends on the analysis and the particular situation,” he said.

Still, many communities are looking at geothermal power as an alternative source of energy, he added.

“Obviously, it’s very green. In a lot of situations, it can work economically for residents. But each case is different and we want to make sure our residents’ options are available to them,” he said.

Wyandotte, Michigan started a similar geothermal program, which Beazley said city officials have been looking at to possibly emulate.

Council member Sandy Bihn, a long time environmental activist, said she supports geothermal energy.

“There’s a lot of different pieces that come into play that are really cool,” she said.  Not only is it a more efficient source of energy, but consumers are offered a 30 percent federal tax credit off the cost of installation of geothermal heat pumps, which are considered a renewable energy, she said.  

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