SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Visitors to Black Butte Lake will soon be able to watch energy being generated by the regional breezes, as a $290,000 contract has been awarded for construction of a wind turbine at this U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District park near Orland.
Tri-Technic Inc. of Sonora was awarded the contract Sept. 24, with construction of the 90-foot structure slated to begin in December. It will be placed near the crest of a hill in the park’s Buckhorn Recreation Area.
“This region of Northern California has an ample supply of windy days to spin the 11 kilowatt turbine,” said Jonathan Friedman, senior district natural resources specialist for the Sacramento District. “Visitors can feel good knowing the power they use during their camping stay is partly generated from renewable resources.”
Recreation facilities in the Sacramento District continue to grow in their use of sustainable energy, recycling and other initiatives for the prudent use of our natural resources. This includes installation of solar energy systems (funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) at nine of the district’s park and dam facilities and moving to more efficient LED lighting.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the nation’s largest federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation, hosting more than 370 million visitors annually at more than 420 lake and river parks.
Release no. 12-039