WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Congressman David Wu secured nearly $3 million in funding for vital Oregon projects, including a Portland State University program that is training the green-tech workforce of the future and efforts to protect our clean public water supply.

“Oregon’s long-standing commitment to sustainability received a funding boost from the federal government today,” said Congressman Wu.  “These funds will make a difference in some of the major issues of our day, allowing us to develop new clean energy sources, improve the health of our watersheds, and train the next generation of green building experts.”

The following projects were included in the Energy and Water Development appropriations bill.  The House of Representatives today passed a final version of the legislation that represents House-Senate agreement on the projects to be funded.  The Senate is expected to pass the final version of the legislation and send it to President Barack Obama to sign into law shortly.

In addition to the projects below, Vernonia received approval to have a flood modeling study included in the Army Corps of Engineers project list for the coming year.  While no funding has been specifically allocated, the Corps is expected to work with Vernonia and other non-federal partners to mitigate the effects of future floods by developing a flood modeling study of the Nehalem River and Rock Creek watersheds.  Once the flood model is completed, the city will be able to perform flood prevention simulations and help define projects that can reduce the damage done in future floods.

$1,000,000 for Portland State University Green Building Research Laboratory
Supports a university-industry partnership that advances the green building industry by developing and testing new green building technologies, providing workforce training, and facilitating the adoption of energy-efficient technology throughout the building industry.  The laboratory is responsive to research needs and directions articulated by industry partners and disseminates research result and technological breakthroughs to industry for practical implementation.  Funds would support the laboratory’s activities that train the clean-tech workforce of the future, including green-building focused programs related to building science, architecture, and engineering, and the development of continuing education opportunities for those currently in the workforce.

$1,000,000 for Oregon Institute of Technology Geothermal Power Generation Plant
Supports the construction of a high-temperature geothermal power plant on the Oregon Institute of Technology campus, making OIT the only campus in the world to satisfy all of its electricity needs from a geothermal energy source.  The power plant, along with its companion low-temperature binary plant would become a demonstration site and pilot project for potential users or developers throughout the region and the country, as well as an educational training facility for OIT students and faculty.  Research projects would be funded from the savings and income generated from the plant, making OIT students more competitive in the business world and especially in the renewable energy market.

$236,000 for Tualatin Basin Water Supply Project
Supports efforts to invest in the health and sustainability of the region’s watershed, economy, and community by identifying sources of water that can help balance competing needs as public demand grows.  Water suppliers will be unable to meet public water supply needs unless additional sources are available by 2012, and by 2050, an additional 50,000 acre-feet of water per year will be needed.  Growth projections for the county and region are predicated on reliable access to safe, secure, and affordable water supplies for municipal and industrial uses, agricultural uses, and to sustaining the overall health of our watershed.  Without the development of new water supplies, our region’s business and environmental health will suffer, stunting economic growth and discouraging new private sector investment in the region.  The Water Supply Partners are currently working the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to complete an Environmental Impact Statement examining alternatives to meet these needs, and funding would be used to complete this phase of the project.

$137,000 for Environmental Technologies for Clean Water and Flood Protection
Supports efforts to address the threat that winter stormwater poses to streambank and shorelines from flood-induced erosion, public works and infrastructure from flooding, and aquatic ecosystems from high sediment and pollutant loads in flood waters.  The Sustainable Plant Research and Outreach Center partners with Chemeketa Community College to develop innovative and cost-effective techniques that use plants to address these threats while supporting both environmental sustainability and economic development.  Funds would support the creation of a plant function database to compile existing and new data on the functional capabilities of plant species to perform environmental services; a water resource management curriculum and certificate program to develop the workforce and design skills needed to implement these efforts; and the Wetlands for Neighborhoods Program to train 50 people to serve as community contacts, motivators, and installation consultants.

$150,000 for Research on Clean Electricity Generation from Low-Flow Hydro-Turbines
Supports efforts to study the feasibility of generating clean electricity via low-flow hydro-turbines attached below the water line to piers of existing county-owned bridges in the Willamette River.  Low-flow hydro electricity is a potential sector of future business growth that could have applications around the country.  Funds would help determine the optimal size, number and placement of hydro-electric turbines, and the amount of electrical power that could be generated from this clean and constant source of energy.  The study would compare generation costs to grid power, other renewable power generation technologies, and the cost of Renewable Energy Credits.  In addition, the county will consult with local authorities to determine requirements for carrying out work in navigable water ways and protecting local fish and wildlife.

$381,000 for Lower Willamette River Environmental Dredging
Supports efforts to pursue ecological restoration and contaminated sediment clean-up in the Lower Willamette River.  The City of Portland and the Port of Portland are working closely with the Army Corps of Engineers, who broadened the existing environmental dredging feasibility study to encompass the City’s ecological restoration objectives.  Funds will enable the City of Portland, Port of Portland, and local partners to make substantial improvements in the ecological functioning of the Lower Willamette and produce enormous environmental and economic benefits for the Lower Willamette region.  By developing, analyzing and prioritizing restoration projects in the Lower Willamette River, this project will help speed implementation of habitat improvements that are vital to recovering listed salmon populations in both the Willamette and Columbia rivers.