Wind farm partially reopens following collapse
Credit: By Gary Redfern, Staff Writer | Imperial Valley Press | Dec 17, 2021 | www.ivpressonline.com ~~
Pattern Energy’s wind farm near Ocotillo had been out of service following the collapse of this windmill in September. COURTESY PHOTO
OCOTILLO – The wind farm near here, shut down by federal order in September after the collapse of one of its 300-foot-high windmills, has been allowed to resume partial operations, a federal official reported this week.
Sixteen of the farm’s 112 windmills were allowed to resume generating electricity in a decision by BLM, which had previously ordered it to cease operations, said Michele Van Der Linden, a spokesperson at the agency’s California Desert District in Palm Springs.
“The BLM has approved a return to service plan on Dec. 3, following a comprehensive safety review by the turbine manufacturer for the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility. Safety inspections will continue to ensure the turbines continue to be safe,” she stated.
The wind farm going back online is good news for Imperial County, which stood to lose millions in property tax revenues if it had been permanently shuttered.
County Supervisor Luis
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