Overview
Green Peter is an 80 MW hydroelectric power plant operated by the USACE Northwestern Division in Oregon, United States. It provides renewable energy to the regional grid.
Green Peter is a hydroelectric power plant located in Oregon, United States, with an installed capacity of 80 megawatts. The facility is owned and operated by the USACE Northwestern Division, a key federal agency responsible for water resource management in the region. As a hydroelectric plant, it harnesses the energy of flowing water to generate electricity, contributing to the renewable energy mix of the Pacific Northwest. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the United States, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing requirements for hydroelectric projects. Hydroelectric power is a well-established technology in the region, leveraging the abundant water resources from rivers and dams. The 80 MW capacity places Green Peter in the small-to-medium scale range for hydroelectric facilities, typical of run-of-river or dam-based projects in the area. Environmentally, hydroelectric power generation has a low carbon footprint compared to fossil fuel plants, but it can affect local aquatic ecosystems and water flow regimes. Green Peter's operation is integrated with the broader Columbia River Basin system, supporting flood control, irrigation, and recreation alongside power generation. The plant plays a role in meeting regional renewable energy targets and providing grid stability.
Environmental context
Hydroelectric power plants like Green Peter have minimal direct air emissions but can impact river ecosystems through altered water flows and fish migration patterns. The facility is located in a forested region of Oregon, where hydropower is a major renewable energy source. The plant's operation is subject to environmental regulations under the Clean Water Act and FERC licensing conditions, which may include measures for fish passage and minimum flow requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Green Peter is located in Oregon, United States, at coordinates 44.4494, -122.5494.
Green Peter has an installed capacity of 80 megawatts, making it a small-to-medium scale hydroelectric facility.
Green Peter is owned and operated by the USACE Northwestern Division, a branch of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
Hydroelectric plants in the US are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under the Federal Power Act, and must comply with environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.
Hydroelectric power has low greenhouse gas emissions but can alter river ecosystems, affect fish migration, and change water flow patterns. Facilities often implement mitigation measures like fish ladders and minimum flow releases.