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NORTHWE S T Northwest Wineries Power Down Cellars adopt conservation measures to save on electricity usage By Peter Mitham as well as life, with 14 dams transform- ing Columbia's current into electricity for homes and businesses. As the official folksong of Washington state (penned by folksinger Woody Guthrie) puts it: "Your power is turning our darkness to dawn / W inding south from the Canadian Rockies, the Columbia River carries the lifeblood of Eastern Washington's vineyards. But the waters give light So roll on, Columbia, roll on." The dams have kept power cheap, prompting Google and other companies to move north from California and establish server farms that take advantage of the cut-rate electricity. But changes in precipitation patterns and demand for water at residences and businesses have lowered stream flows, reducing the capacity for power generation at the dams. The circumstance has prompted power Eugene NORTHWEST BC Seattle Yakima Soter Vineyards Portland Willamette Valley Vineyards OREGON Spokane WASHINGTON Ste. Michelle Wine Estates ID authorities in Washington state and Oregon to encourage conservation—and ironically, it's just as hydro electricity is coming back into favor as a renewable power source. Governments, responding to concerns regarding how emissions from fossil fuel use may be contributing to climate change, are seeking alternatives to coal- and diesel- CA NV Premium American Oak Barrel MICHAEL MERCER Michael@denisandsons.com Cell: 707-508-5006 Office: 707-944-1330 CHARLOIS COOPERAGE, USA 1285 Sandholm Lane Cloverdale, CA 95425 40 Wines & Vines FeBRUARY 2012