Tehachapi News

Wind company withdraws plans to build at Old West Ranch near glider port

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The company sponsoring a plan to bring new wind turbines to East Kern County withdrew a portion of the project Thursday Oct. 22 because it would have encroached on federal air restrictions, officials said.

“Subarea 3,” the northwestern-most part of the Alta-Oak Creek Mojave Project, near the unincorporated community of Old West Ranch, was removed from planning, said Randy Hoyle, vice president of development for Terra-Gen Power.

Merle Carnes, Old West Ranch Property Owners Association president called the announcement “a win.”

“I'm very excited, so excited,” Carnes said.

Hoyle made the announcement during the company's open house event last Thursday.

The subarea, which was to include 10 of the project's 320 possible turbines, was removed from planning because it would impact operations at Mountain Valley Airport, Hoyle said.

Airport co-owner Jane Barrett said building wind turbines at “Subarea 3” would have violated an Federal Aviation Administration code that allows for safe approach and departure.

“We're pleased, obviously,” Barrett said. “The FAA decided, and rightfully so.”

Hoyle said retracting “Subarea 3” from the project was a “material announcement.”

Hoyle wrote a request to withdraw the area to the Kern County Planning Department's Chief Planner Lorelei Oviatt on Oct. 22.

Alta Wind Energy wants to reserve the right to reapply for a zone change for that area at a later time, Hoyle wrote.

But Hoyle said it would be unlikely that “Subarea 3” would be re-added to the project.

“To get over that is a pretty substantial hurdle,” he said. “Something would have to be negotiated with the local airport.”

Barrett said only the FAA - not the airport - could allow construction of wind turbines in that area.

“Those guidelines are not going to change,” Barrett said. “Unless they put shorter turbines.”

Hoyle said roughly 90 percent of comments critical of the project submitted by local residents focused on two areas: Old West Ranch and Mountain Valley Airport.

“We were fortunate enough to catch that early,” Hoyle said. “I don't foresee future modifications to this project.”

A win for Old West Ranch

Carnes said it was important to have “Subarea 3” clear of wind turbines because that airspace needed to remain clear for emergency aircraft, including fire department helicopters and flame-dousing planes.

“It is so critical to have that open airspace,” Carnes said.

There were aesthetic reasons for not wanting wind turbines in that area too, Carnes said.

“Old West Ranch property owners did not want to look at those turbines,” she said.

Carnes said she wasn't finished fighting the project. She said she would be pursuing alterations to “Subarea 1” of the project as well.

“Subarea 1,” the westernmost portion of the project, straddles the intersection of Tehachapi Willow Springs and Oak Creek roads.

Lela Siri, who lives in the 17000 block of Tehachapi Willow Springs Road, said building windmills near her property could negate the “scenic beauty” of that area.

“I don't want to live with these things in my backyard,” Siri said. “It wouldn't matter if it was one of 10,000.”

Siri said the area near her property should be used for maintaining ranches, not wind turbines.

“I've worked all my life to get to this beauty,” she said. “It's going to destroy my mountain scenery.”

Linda Parker, executive director of Kern Wind Energy, said looking at residents' concerns was a part of the process.

“I think all of us want to see wind go in,” Parker said. “We do live together in a community, and it's of interest to look at all aspects.”

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PHOTOS:
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Mountain Meadows board of directors member Chuck Higbie learns about the Alta-Oak Creek Mojave wind energy project from a Terra-Gen official Thursday, Oct. 22.
Credit - Mark Powell