ASTORIA (AP) - It's not gale-force yet, but small-scale wind energy development is gathering momentum on Oregon's north coast.

Government grants, tax incentives and a local marketer of turbines have boosted interest among homeowners, educators, municipalities and at the Rilea Armed Forces Training Center in Warrenton.

Burr and Sally Allegaert had a 2.6 kilowatt turbine installed in their yard in November.

The 26-foot turbine can generate up to 900 kilowatts per month - enough to cut about 12 percent from their electric bill.

"We have so much wind here as a rule during the summer and winter, it seemed to make good sense to us," said Allegaert.

A neighbor, William Dougherty, who runs a wind turbine distribution company in Warrenton called Global Green Power with his wife, Diane helped assess their wind power potential and navigate obstacles such as visual impact, permits and tax issues.

The Doughertys have been in business here for a little over a year, introducing people to incentive programs.

Turbines like the Allegaerts' cost between $18,000 and $20,000 but state and federal programs can slice that by at least a third, William Dougherty said.

By installing a more powerful turbine, some homeowners can eliminate their energy bills altogether, he said.

"The wind we have here is incredible," he said. "The process is not a cheap one, but the government is helping a great deal with incentives."

This year's federal economic stimulus bill provides a 30 percent tax credit for homeowners and small businesses buying turbines up to 100 kilowatts.

"This is different from what's going on in the rest of the planet with the real big, behemoth wind turbines," he said. "We're using new technology."

His firm consulted with Camp Rilea officials before the 2.6 kilowatt turbine was installed there.

Jim Arnold, who works with the Oregon Military Department Environmental Branch, said the turbine, visible from U.S. 101, is a test project and may lead to others, but said but the state does not seek to make the camp a wind farm.

Dougherty recently convinced Astoria city officials to apply for $3.76 million in economic stimulus grants to install 100 kilowatt turbines at the aquatic center and the wastewater treatment facility. The units cost around $500,000 each.

Astoria Public Works Director Ken Cook said the turbines would plug directly into the grid, allowing the city to save on energy expenses through a "net metering" program.

Through net metering individuals can generate their own power and store energy credits for electricity they produce but don't use.

The company has 646 net metering customers across the state, but most use solar energy.