Perennial Wind Chaser (Perennial) is a proposed fracked gas power plant located in Umatilla County near Hermiston, Oregon. The facility would include four turbines with a maximum capacity of 415 megawatts.
ACT: Say No to New Fracked Gas Power Plant
Do you want another climate-polluting fracked gas power plant in Oregon? If not, take action today: Tell Governor Brown and the Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) to reject the so-called Perennial Wind Chaser facility (aka fracked gas power plant) proposed near Hermiston, Oregon.
EFSC approved the Perennial project back in 2015—but Perennial has yet to find a buyer for its power. That’s why Perennial is asking EFSC to extend the deadline to break ground. Submit a comment and join us in sending a strong message to EFSC: Oregonians say no to fracked gas.
Fracked gas is terrible for our health and the environment. The time is up on dirty energy. Read more about the Perennial proposal below.
Help us convince the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council that there is no room in Oregon for a new fracked gas-fired power plant
Q & A: New Fracked Gas Power Plant Threatens Oregon, Climate
What is Perennial Wind Chaser?
Perennial Wind Chaser (Perennial) is a proposed fracked gas power plant located in Umatilla County near Hermiston, Oregon. The facility would include four turbines with a maximum capacity of 415 megawatts. The Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) approved the power plant in 2015 by issuing a so-called Site Certificate. However, Perennial has failed to secure a power purchaser. In turn, Perennial has not started construction.
Why is EFSC holding a public comment period about Perennial?
Perennial needs an extension from EFSC to prevent the site certificate from expiring. This process is called a Request for Amendment. EFSC’s public comment period ends on August 22, 2019. EFSC is also holding a public hearing on August 22 in Boardman, Oregon.
How does EFSC decide whether to approve a Request for Amendment?
Under Oregon law, EFSC must consider any changes in facts or law since Perennial obtained the Site Certificate in 2015. Studies released since 2015 demonstrate that the risks of fracked gas are vast—and far greater than previously understood.
Does the Oregon Supreme Court’s August 1, 2019, ruling impact Perennial’s application?
Yes. The Oregon Supreme Court held in favor of a coalition of nine conservation organizations, including Columbia Riverkeeper, invalidating rules adopted in 2017 by EFSC that had dramatically reduced transparency and discouraged public participation in permitting decisions for large power plants throughout Oregon. The legal victory is expected to terminate the previously issued permits for Perennial. But that doesn’t mean we can sit out the public comment period: Until EFSC officially withdraws the public notice for Perennial’s Request for Amendment, Riverkeeper and allies are encouraging the public to weigh in.
