The controversial wind power project set for the Ocotillo area can sell its power to San Diego, though the facility isn’t even under construction yet.
The California Public Utilities Commission approved a 20-year power purchase agreement between San Diego Gas & Electric and Pattern Energy Group LP for 315 megawatts of wind energy to be generated at Pattern’s proposed Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility. The project is set to produce enough power for more than 130,000 households a year, according to a press release from the company.
“We appreciate the strong support we have received across a broad spectrum of interests for this project, which will create 300 immediate construction jobs in a community with the highest unemployment rate in the nation,” said Mike Garland, chief executive officer of Pattern Energy. “Pattern is proud to implement cutting-edge measures for avoiding impacts on cultural and environmental resources.
“We will continue to work closely with the community and Native Americans, as well as environmentalists and local agencies to ensure the region’s cultural heritage and environmental resources alike are preserved and protected,” he added in his statement.
The 315 megawatts are part of phase one of the project, that once completed will be on about 12,500 acres of mostly-public land, according to the Bureau of Land Management Web site. The power is set to run along the Sunrise Powerlink, the transmission line that recently finished construction in Imperial County.
Pattern has been working with the federal Bureau of Land Management and related agencies for three years to obtain the necessary permits and rights of way on bureau-managed land. Once those permits and government approvals have been received, Pattern officials plan to begin construction in the first half of the year and begin generation by the end of 2012, according to the company’s press release.
“By the end of the year, the Imperial Valley will have a world-class wind farm, creating hundreds of jobs and generating a positive economic impact in the area, all while establishing a significant local source of clean and renewable energy for the future,” said Garland.
While some local officials have supported the project, it has faced criticism from various residents in the Ocotillo area, who are worried about environmental and tribal issues. Following the public utility commission’s approval Robert Scheid, spokesman for the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, said the group is disappointed with the decision, but not surprised.
“It follows the pattern of disregard for tribal concerns already established by the BLM and Pattern Energy,” he said in a statement. “In addition, the PUC’s rush to approve this agreement does not appear to consider the deficiencies in the project’s draft environmental report, and it seems premature for the PUC to approve a power purchase agreement for a project that has not even been approved.”
The project still has some hurdles to go through, as the Bureau of Land Management is still working on the final environmental impact statement. After that the federal government will release a record of decision on whether to allow the project to start construction.
Staff Writer Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.
The California Public Utilities Commission approved a 20-year power purchase agreement between San Diego Gas & Electric and Pattern Energy Group LP for 315 megawatts of wind energy to be generated at Pattern’s proposed Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility. The project is set to produce enough power for more than 130,000 households a year, according to a press release from the company.
“We appreciate the strong support we have received across a broad spectrum of interests for this project, which will create 300 immediate construction jobs in a community with the highest unemployment rate in the nation,” said Mike Garland, chief executive officer of Pattern Energy. “Pattern is proud to implement cutting-edge measures for avoiding impacts on cultural and environmental resources.
“We will continue to work closely with the community and Native Americans, as well as environmentalists and local agencies to ensure the region’s cultural heritage and environmental resources alike are preserved and protected,” he added in his statement.
The 315 megawatts are part of phase one of the project, that once completed will be on about 12,500 acres of mostly-public land, according to the Bureau of Land Management Web site. The power is set to run along the Sunrise Powerlink, the transmission line that recently finished construction in Imperial County.
Pattern has been working with the federal Bureau of Land Management and related agencies for three years to obtain the necessary permits and rights of way on bureau-managed land. Once those permits and government approvals have been received, Pattern officials plan to begin construction in the first half of the year and begin generation by the end of 2012, according to the company’s press release.
“By the end of the year, the Imperial Valley will have a world-class wind farm, creating hundreds of jobs and generating a positive economic impact in the area, all while establishing a significant local source of clean and renewable energy for the future,” said Garland.
While some local officials have supported the project, it has faced criticism from various residents in the Ocotillo area, who are worried about environmental and tribal issues. Following the public utility commission’s approval Robert Scheid, spokesman for the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, said the group is disappointed with the decision, but not surprised.
“It follows the pattern of disregard for tribal concerns already established by the BLM and Pattern Energy,” he said in a statement. “In addition, the PUC’s rush to approve this agreement does not appear to consider the deficiencies in the project’s draft environmental report, and it seems premature for the PUC to approve a power purchase agreement for a project that has not even been approved.”
The project still has some hurdles to go through, as the Bureau of Land Management is still working on the final environmental impact statement. After that the federal government will release a record of decision on whether to allow the project to start construction.
Staff Writer Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.
