Central Oregon Community College is already the only community college in the country powered entirely by renewable energy sources. By 2010, the college could also feature a new science and allied health building powered in part by its own solar arrays. The 62-kilowatt solar array will sit on the roof of the three story building, which will be dedicated to science and health studies and house classes on renewable energy studies, according to a December COCC press release.

Derek Goodall

This green step forward is happening in large part to an award of $160,000 from Pacific Power. COCC President Jim Middleton accepted the large check from Pacific Power representatives in early December. “We thank Pacific Power for this award,” said Middleton. “This money does make a difference.”Pacific Power has long been COCC’s ally in the renewable energy program that students began sponsoring during the 2005-2006 school year. Through the program, student fees support Pacific Power’s Blue Sky Renewable Energy Program. While COCC’s energy may not come directly from a wind farm, the student fee money pays for Pacific Power’s investments in renewable energy sources, said Pat Egan, vice president of community relations at Pacific Power. Micheal Pohyar, an executive council member of the Associated Students of Central Oregon Community College, accepted a separate award from Pacific Power at the December press conference. The award was given to ASCOCC in recognition of their support of the Blue Sky program. “Students of today face a future energy crisis,” Pohyar told the packed room. “(COCC support of Blue Sky) is a monumental step forward and we hope that other colleges will do the same thing.” The new science and health building would be funded by a bond, which will be approved or rejected by voters in November 2008, according to the press release.