Wind Power News: California
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Broken promises: Ocotillo wind project wins approval despite outcry from tribes, residents and environmentalists
A former firefighter who has parachuted into raging wildfires, Viejas Community Relations Director Charlie Brown (photo, left above) has no shortage of courage. But he choked back tears as he spoke about what Ocotillo and its ancient geoglyphs means to him and other tribes that have long considered the site sacred. Brown has heard his grandfather’s stories about Ocotillo, where mountains are named among tribal creation stories. He has taken his son there to learn about his heritage. But soon, . . .
Windmills don’t generate much energy
The Desert Sun had a special report on March 11 about Competitive Power Ventures Sentinel power plant bringing $53 million worth of pollution to the desert. This pollution is supposed to offset the pollution from a flag factory that was closed in Riverside in 1992. This peaker plant is supposed to supply quick power at times of high demand in addition to supposed wind and solar supplies. Oh surprise! Southern California Edison has a 10-year contract with CPV and we . . .
April 27 Planning Commission hearing to determine process of wind ordinance revisions
What was certain at the April 13 hearing of the county’s Planning Commission is that the proposed zoning amendments for wind energy turbines will require further refinement. An April 27 Planning Commission hearing will determine the process for revisions from the county staff proposal. “It seems as though we have many issues that have come up from many groups,” said Commissioner David Pallinger. “I don’t think we’re anywhere close to consensus on this.” The public comment April 13 included neighbors . . .
Imperial County Board of Supervisors votes 4-1 to approve Pattern Energy windfarm
After a two-day appeal hearing, a 112-wind-turbine project set to be build west of Ocotillo was approved 4-1 Wednesday by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors. “I’m not going to be able to support this project. It just scares me because once you start drilling your project could die two years from now, or five years from now,” said Supervisor Jack Terrazas, who represents Ocotillo and was the only dissenting vote. The Ocotillo Express LLC Wind Energy Project had already . . .
Ocotillo Wind Express appeal decision continued
The decision on whether to approve a proposed 112-wind-turbine project west of Ocotillo was continued by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, after a lengthy and at times emotional meeting that lasted all day. “We won’t be able to give, I think, appropriate time, not just for those who want to speak but for responses,” said Supervisor Gary Wyatt, moments after the decision to continue the meeting was made. The Ocotillo Express LLC Wind Energy Project was approved by . . .
Discovery of Indian artifacts complicates Genesis solar project
After human remains were unearthed near the $1-billion Genesis project 200 miles east of L.A., the Colorado River Indian Tribes are demanding that the Obama administration slow down on solar plants in the Mojave Desert. The Feb. 27 letter from the chairman of the Colorado River Indian Tribes was pleading and tough. It asked President Obama to slow the federal government’s “frantic pursuit” of massive solar energy projects in the Mojave Desert because of possible damage to Native American cultural . . .
Who is Pattern Energy?
The wind industry has been likened to the wildcatters during the oil boom – risk takers seeking out ever more land on which to extract energy to fuel our nation’s power demands. While some energy companies have made efforts to be good corporate citizens, profits in the energy industry have attracted some players of dubious integrity. (Remember those ENRON traders caught on tape boasting about defrauding grandmothers?) Thus it’s important for decision makers weighing whether or not to approve major . . .
Manzanita tribe and others at risk from ‘dirty electricity’ from wind turbines, expert warns
Members of the Manzanita tribe who live on the reservation are being subjected to levels of transient voltage a thousand times higher than normal, due to the presence of neighboring Campo reservation’s wind turbines, according to public health epidemiologist and physician Dr. Samuel Milham. Milham visited the reservation twice to measure stray voltage in the ground, air and buildings of the reservation. Milham later submitted written comments for an April 13 planning commission hearing of San Diego County’s proposed wind . . .
Editorial: Supervisors should deny Pattern Energy application for Ocotillo Express
In San Diego earlier this month, the county’s planning commission heeded concerns of residents, environmentalists, tribes and health experts who voiced alarm over harmful impacts of industrial wind turbines. Planners voted to postpone enacting a wind ordinance and more fully study the issues. Their remarks made clear that most planners had serious reservations about potential impacts on human health, wildlife, cultural resources, environment, character of rural communities and public lands. http://eastcountymagazine.org/node/9354 This was not the case with planners in Imperial . . .
Wind spin: Blowing holes in industry’s denial of health impacts
For years, the tobacco industry claimed that cigarettes don’t cause cancer—long after compelling medical evidence proved otherwise. A similar scenario is now happening with the wind industry, which has put forth various “experts” funded by the wind industry to claim that no evidence exists of negative health impacts caused by wind turbines. Those are dubious claims that ignore mounting medical evidence around the world indicating that living near wind turbines can harm human health. In numerous countries, neighbors living near . . .
