Recent Developments
CEERT recently reached a milestone in our efforts to mitigate wind power’s effects on wildlife when the Energy Commission (CEC) adopted the “California Guidelines for Reducing Impacts to Birds and Bats from Wind Energy Development.” The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) subsequently released a statement endorsing the Guidelines and directing its staff on their future use.
These Guidelines represent an important step forward for the wind industry and environmental groups on what has historically been a very difficult issue. While the Guidelines are not a final resolution of all the related problems and not everyone is completely satisfied with the document, the goodwill that has been built among CEERT’s wind-company affiliates, the environmental community, and state and local agencies does pave the way for a smoother, less confrontational project development process. CEERT has continued to work with the CEC and CDFG on implementation and use of the Guidelines, and on training of the agencies’ staff in counties with significant wind-power potential.
The release of the document capped two years of challenging work, with CEERT drafting key recommendations and helping to forge compromises on essential issues. We would like to commend all involved for great leadership and a lot of hard effort. In particular, Julia Levin (Audubon Society), Carl Zichella (Sierra Club), Andy Linehan (PPM Energy), Brenda LeMay (Horizon Wind Energy), and Kenny Stein (FPL Energy) provided technical expertise and support from start to finish, and without them we would not have been able to achieve this important outcome.
Following the document’s adoption, CEERT’s Paul Vercruyssen was invited to speak at an American Wind Energy Association symposium to discuss the process and lessons learned here in California. Paul was able to meet with prominent environmental and industry representatives as well as government officials who will be leading a similar process at the national level. Our experiences here in California will certainly help to guide the federal process and local efforts in other parts of the country.
Paul worked closely with CEERT affiliate PPM Energy in the final permitting and approval of the Dillon Wind Project in the San Gorgonio Pass. Paul testified at Riverside County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors hearings, and his lone environmental voice in support of the project was instrumental in its passage.
Rhonda Mills and several other CEERT staff members were involved in the permitting and approval of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s 120-megawatt Pine Tree Wind Project in eastern Kern County. The facility was developed by CEERT affiliate Horizon Wind Energy, and represents a $425 million investment. Once completed, Pine Tree will more than double the portion of LA’s power that comes from wind, and will bring LADWP’s renewables portfolio to 13% of its total generating capacity.
PdV Wind Energy Project, which is being developed by CEERT affiliate enXco, Inc., will generate up to 300 megawatts in southwest Kern County. CEERT has played a lead role in outreach to Kern County environmental groups, organizing visits to the project site, providing access to researchers conducting the environmental studies, and coordinating a joint letter of support signed by Union of Concerned Scientists, Natural Resources Defense Council, and national Sierra Club, among others. These efforts have led to unprecedented environmental support for the project. PdV is still moving through the permitting process, but is expected to be the largest wind farm to date in California. |
