Rep. Salinas and Tualatin Celebrate New Hydropower System Turning Drinking Water Into Clean Energy

Tualatin, OR - The City of Tualatin is celebrating the completion of a first-of-its-kind hydropower project that allows the city's drinking water to create clean, renewable energy. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) joined city leaders, representatives from Oregon's Department of Energy and project partners, including Energy Trust of Oregon and Portland General Electric (PGE), to mark the completion of the 56-kilowatt in-pipe hydropower system at the Tualatin City Services facility. The project is expected to generate more than 270,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity each year - enough to fully power the City Services facility and save the city an estimated $26,000 each year.

"Building a more affordable future demands innovative ideas. That's exactly what Tualatin is doing with their new in-pipe hydropower project," said Rep. Salinas. "Adding clean energy like hydropower to our water systems and solar to our homes and buildings can help bring down energy costs and combat the affordability crisis. Projects like this show how communities can create clean energy by making the most of the infrastructure we already rely on. Strong local partnerships and federal support can help make more of these projects possible."

Along with the system, the city also installed additional infrastructure that will eventually help keep operations running during major outages or emergencies. In the future, the city plans to add a microgrid and large battery capable of powering critical municipal buildings on its own.

"Building a more resilient Tualatin is central to our climate action plan," said Frank Bubenik, mayor of Tualatin. "This project shows how we can use innovative infrastructure to strengthen reliability and lay the groundwork for future backup power. It's the kind of smart investment that can improve reliability, reduce energy costs and help protect our community for the long term."

The system is installed where drinking water from Bull Run Reservoir enters Tualatin's water distribution system. Developed by Oregon-based InPipe Energy, the system captures unused pressure to generate 24/7 carbon-free electricity without interrupting water delivery.

Energy Trust of Oregon, a nonprofit funded by customers of investor-owned utilities' that helps communities, organizations, and families connect to clean, renewable energy provided more than $270,000 in cash incentives for the project and supported the project's design.

Across Oregon, Energy Trust is working with cities, water districts and rural communities to turn critical municipal infrastructure into new sources of reliable, local clean energy. Renewable energy projects - whether hydropower, solar or battery-supported systems - help communities cut energy costs and strengthen resilience in the face of climate-related challenges.

"When cities are willing to explore innovative ideas, they can unlock far more value from the infrastructure than they already have," said Tracy Scott, director of energy programs with Energy Trust of Oregon. "This project will generate renewable power while helping Tualatin reduce its energy costs year after year, leaving more resources available for other community priorities. That's the kind of practical, lasting value we're looking to help communities achieve." This project was also partially funded by PGE's Green Future Renewable Development Fund, which is made possible by PGE Green Future customers who support impactful small-scale local renewable energy projects.

"It's the incredible support of PGE customers who are helping bring local clean energy projects like this one in Tualatin to life," said PGE local government affairs senior manager, Meredith Armstrong. "Through our Green Future program, PGE customers are choosing to support impactful renewable energy projects for healthier and more energy resilient communities."

These funds were combined with a grant from the Oregon Department of Energy and an anticipated federal investment tax credit. Altogether, grants, incentives and anticipated tax credits covered more than 85% of the project's $920,000 total cost.

The environmental benefits of this project extend beyond energy generation. The area surrounding the turbine was replanted and landscaped to meet Backyard Habitat Certification Program standards, using native, wildlife-friendly plants to create habitat for pollinators and wildlife. The Backyard Habitat Certification Program is a collaboration between Columbia Land Trust and Bird Alliance of Oregon.

As the City continues implementing its Climate Action Plan, Tualatin's project demonstrates how communities can use existing infrastructure to generate clean energy, reduce costs and advance climate goals. It's an example of how local innovation and strong partnerships can create lasting benefits for the community.

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