June 29, 2011
California

Tehachapi residents upset about wind project

Just days after a group of Tehachapi residents celebrated the collapse of a large windmill project, another group contacted 17 News about another wind project in the works.

They say the windmills will destroy the natural beauty of their neighborhood.

Folks living in Sand Canyon are concerned that another project will place large windmills in their front yards.

Shelly and George Young moved to Sand Canyon to retire on a ranch surrounded by natural beauty.

“We’re just far away from town where we have a little bit of freedom. We have the night skies. We have all the beauty,” said Shelly.

But, now they are worried they may lose that picturesque view.

Helo Energy, a wind and energy company based in San Diego, is trying to get 300 acres of land re-zoned for a wind development project.

“If you look at this mountain behind us, that’s only 300 feet. They’ll put one on top of that hill this is our front yard. This is our driveway, we have only one way to get in and only one way to get out,” said George Young.

The Kern County Planning Department is working on an environmental impact report and the Board of Supervisors will have the last say on the project.

But, the Department told 17 News it doesn’t support windmills being placed east of Sand Canyon Road and north of Highway 58.
And, neighbors agree.

“You got millions of acres of desert out here with a lot of wind and putting them close to people’s houses is just insane,” said Toni Bice.

Helo Energy says it chose this area not only for its high winds, but its proximity to power lines.

“Once you build a project, you still need to be able to have the ability to connect it to the grid,” said spokeswoman Diane Oglesby.

But, is Helo sacrificing quality of life for the project’s convenience?

“We are trying to be very sensitive to what the residents of Sand Canyon are telling us. Some are making very good suggestions, you know hey let’s get some thoughts on the best places for the company and the residents,” added Oglesby.

Residents plan to hold a meeting in two weeks to discuss their next move.

URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/06/29/tehachapi-residents-upset-about-wind-project/

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