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ENERGY Pacificorp plans solar farm at former Bly mill site Comment By Lee Juillerat Klamath Falls Herald and News MailTribune.com By Lee Juillerat Klamath Falls Herald and News Posted May. 10, 2015 at 7:34 PM By Lee Juillerat Klamath Falls Herald and News Posted May. 10, 2015 at 7:34 PM » Social News BLY — PacifiCorp will buy the electricity produced by what will be Oregon’s largest solar facility being built on the site of a long-closed lumber mill in Bly. The site, known as the Old Mill site, spans 40 acres and has been an eyesore since Weyerhaeuser closed and dismantled the mill in 1984. More than 20,000 solar panels will be installed, enough to supply power to about 1,000 residential customers annually. “By the end of 2015, our customers will be using the power being produced here,” Stefan Bird, CEO and president of Pacific Power, said in a news release. “Between now and then, communities in Klamath County will benefit from the jobs that come from this kind of longterm investment in renewable projects.” Obsidian Renewables of Lake Oswego will start construction on the project this summer. Peak construction employment is expected to be 40 with plans to use local contractors and subcontractors as well as International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers members for electrical work. Called the Old Mill Project, it is on the site of a former sawmill last owned by Weyerhaeuser. In 2012, Obsidian also built PacifiCorp’s Black Cap solar project in Lakeview. Company officials have discussed developing the Bly site for a solar farm for several years. “We are proud to be working again with PacifiCorp to deliver a modern and efficient solar project to its customers,” said David Brown, senior principal of Obsidian in the release. “Solar development costs continue to decline and we are confident Oregon will see more solar projects in the near future.” “The community of Bly is excited to have this project ready to begin construction,” said Leda Hunter of the Bly Community Action Team. “The Old Mill site is right in town and has been an eyesore for years. Having something productive there again will be great for Bly and the construction crews in town will be a boon to our lagging economy. “A trail that occupies the old right of way for the timber railroad ends at the site and the facility will be a unique place to conclude a hike through the high timber country,” Hunter said. The Klamath Falls to Bly section of the OC&E Woods Line State Trail ends in Bly adjacent to the former mill site. It is located on the former railroad line that connected the Bly mill with lumber mills in Klamath Falls. The Bly project, and the Black Cap Solar project in Lakeview, will make a combined 7 megawatts of solar capacity available to customers. Both Old Mill and Black Cap projects came about through request for proposals where PacifiCorp sought projects to help it meet Oregon’s Solar Capacity Standards law. The company is continuing its process to meet the final 1.7 megawatt portion of an 8.7 megawatt solar requirement by the deadline of 2020. By Lee Juillerat Klamath Falls Herald and News MailTribune.com By Lee Juillerat Klamath Falls Herald and News Posted May. 10, 2015 at 7:34 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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