Renewable energy facility gets Planning Commission OK
A renewable energy training facility in Tehachapi was supported by the Kern County Planning Commission Thursday and will next be reviewed by county supervisors in mid-April.
Airstreams LLC, a home-grown Tehachapi company, plans to build a 14-acre solar field and a single wind turbine on 33 acres on the northeast corner of Tehachapi-Willow Springs Road and Abajo Avenue.
It employs 29 people locally and trains technicians from all over the country, said David Schulgen, company president.
The renewable energy industry will likely double in size in the next three years, he said. To do so, it needs skilled workers.
“Our program is designed to take advanced wind technicians and bring them in for a month or so,” Schulgen said. “We’ve helped literally dozens of companies and colleges start their training (programs).”
Outside the meeting, Schulgen said he expects 300 to 500 people could be trained each year at Airstreams’ site.
Schulgen’s presentation appeared to win over a man who initially objected to the proposal.
The commission also approved:
• A church at 2244 Allen Road, between Rosedale Highway and Palm Avenue.
• A shopping center at the southwest corner of Merle Haggard Drive and North Chester Avenue.
• A zone change for 8 acres on the south side of Deacon Avenue, west of Fairfax Road, to allow for houses.
By Jenny Shearer, Californian staff writer
26 February 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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