The California Energy Commission on Friday denied the approval of the Fountain Wind project, ending a years-long battle by Shasta County to stop the controversial project from moving forward.
At its business meeting in Sacramento, the CEC adopted the recommendation of its executive director not approve the project.
Director Drew Bohan made his recommendation in November, eight months after the CEC, in a published staff assessment of Fountain Wind, concluded that the project’s benefits do not outweigh the toll it would take on the environment.
Shasta County Board of Supervisors Chair Chris Kelstrom and county Chief Executive Officer David Rickert attended Friday’s meeting in-person.
“The landmark effort to override local governance by the State of California has short-circuited today.” Rickert said in a news release.
Kelstrom said: “This project was never suited for the heavily forested eastern region of Shasta County, and I’d like to take a moment to thank our community, especially the Pit River Tribe, and Redding Rancheria, who have been leaders in every effort to oppose this Project. Without their support, we would not have been successful today.”
In his recommendation, Bohan stated the “numerous significant and unavoidable environmental impacts specifically associated with the Fountain Wind project” do not justify approval.
In October 2021, the Shasta County Board of Supervisors voted down the project, denying ConnectGen’s appeal of the county Planning Commission’s decision not to approve the wind farm. The supervisors’ meeting featured more than 10 hours of public comment.
But the California Legislature in 2022 approved AB 205, which allowed the Energy Commission to consider approving the project, even though Shasta County rejected it.
David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly “Buzz on the Street” column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Contentious wind farm project in Shasta denied by California panel
Reporting by David Benda, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
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