PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) — Eastern Oregon's burgeoning wind-energy industry is providing hope of financial stability for ranchers in the area.
Landowners say they have to navigate a complicated web of regulations and dishonest speculators, but several ranchers tell the East Oregonian (http://bit.ly/MA4YJS) they're optimistic about a Chicago developer's plans to build a large wind farm east of Heppner.
Farmers and ranchers say the revenue from allowing wind-power producers to build on their land can help offset the boom-and-bust cycles of the agriculture industry.
There are still a lot of pitfalls for the project, however, including the need for about 40 miles of transmission lines to connect it with power grid.
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Information from: East Oregonian, http://www.eastoregonian.info
