Shasta County Launches Media Campaign Against Proposed Wind Farm

Shasta County Government has begun it’s push to generate public discontent over a wind energy project proposed for the Round Mountain and Montgomery Creek area. The 48 turbine Fountain Wind Project has been denied by both the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors so in January the company sought approval from the California Energy Commission under a new law that granted that authority to the state agency. The company has completed it’s application and the Energy Commission will make a decision by July 26th of next year. In March the Board of Supervisors drafted an ordinance that prohibits new wind energy projects in the county altogether. In October the board voted to drum up public opposition through a $100,000 media campaign. The county has launched a website at stopfountainwind.com to help defame the project and provide resources such as a form letter that can be sent to the Energy Commission. Reasons against the proposal include impacts to wildlife and Pit River tribal resources, and the fact that aerial firefighting would be hindered or impossible in the event of a wildfire.