BOARDMAN, Ore-The ribbon-cutting for a solar power project to help community service organizations in Morrow and Umatilla Counties reduce their electric costs was held on the afternoon of October 6 at the Boardman Senior Center.
“AWS has a responsibility to care for the place we call home, and this is an example of coming together for the common cause,” said David Tanner, Director of Infrastructure Operations, Amazon. “This is not the end of this project, it’s the beginning of a bright, carbon-free future.”
The project was a collaborative effort between Amazon, GRID Alternatives, community leaders and nonprofit organizations. Attendees had the opportunity to build sustainability kits for the Boardman Senior Center, one of the recipients of the solar panels.
“These solar panels mean we’ll save a lot on electricity,” said Rick Weiss, President, Boardman Senior Center Board of Directors. “We don’t make a profit, so the closer we come to breaking even, the more donations can be used for our events and to benefit the community.”
GRID Alternatives began installing the solar panels that were made possible through grants from Amazon, on nonprofit and community organizations late last year, and finished over the summer.
“These panels are an investment in the future,” said Dan Dumovitch, Director of Strategic Initiatives, GRID Alternatives. “They’re an incredible tool that makes a real difference.”
The panels are expected to generate 250 kilowatts of carbon-free energy to help the organizations that received them reduce their electric costs. The nine recipients of the solar panels will own them for as long as they wish to use them, while GRID Alternatives will monitor the installations and perform maintenance.
“The solar panels are a great addition for us as one of the newer facilities in Eastern Oregon,” said Al Davis, General Manager of the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center (EOTEC) in Hermiston. “Solar is the future and adds to the educational aspect of what we do.”
The solar panels rely on the sun, an existing resource, and could cut energy consumption by 80 percent over the next 25-30 years, allowing nonprofits and community organizations to focus on their missions, rather than bills or electrical costs.
“We look forward to the long-lasting effect of this project,” said Jesalyn Cole, Executive Director of Stepping Stones Alliance. “It will allow us to direct the funding we receive to our mission.”
The solar project also utilized local contractors, providing jobs and returning money to the local economy, according to Dumovitch.
“AWS has been a positive for the community, they’re the biggest taxpayer, and this project is the latest example of them stepping up to meet social needs,” said David Sykes, Morrow County Commissioner. “We look forward to a good relationship moving forward.”
Recipients of solar panels in Umatilla and Morrow Counties
- Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center in Hermiston
- Agape House in Hermiston
- Martha’s House in Hermiston
- Stepping Stones Alliance in Hermiston
- Umatilla Center Head Start School
- Pine Tree Center Head Start in Umatilla
- Boardman Senior Center in Boardman
- Irrigon Emergency Assistance Center and Pantry in Irrigon
- Willow Creek Terrace Assisted Living Facility in Heppner
The Boardman Food Pantry, which was destroyed in a July 18 fire and is currently operating out of a temporary location, also received solar panels. The pantry is currently in the process of planning for a new building.
