PacifiCorp has started operating 67 new wind turbines in Arlington, Ore., to help meet the electricity needs of homes and businesses.

The electricity generated at Leaning Juniper 1 will help supply electricity to PacifiCorp's approximately 1.7 million customers in six Western states. PacifiCorp serves customers in Oregon, Washington and California through Pacific Power, and in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho through Rocky Mountain Power.

The utility purchased the facility in July from PPM Energy, which began project construction last January, the company said in a press release. As part of the agreement, PPM Energy will provide operation and maintenance services for the project for two years.

As part of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co.'s acquisition of PacifiCorp, the company committed to bring 100 megawatts of cost-effective wind resources in service within one year of the transaction close and, to the extent available, to have 400 megawatts of cost-effective new renewable resources in its generation portfolio by the end of 2007.

With Leaning Juniper 1, the recent purchase of the 140.5-megawatt Marengo wind project near Dayton, Wash., and other recent transactions, PacifiCorp has met its 100-megawatt commitment and is within 64 megawatts of reaching its 400-megawatt goal, the company said. In addition, MidAmerican Energy reaffirmed PacifiCorp's commitment to acquire 1,400 megawatts of new cost-effective renewable resources by 2015.