USA - Yucaipa gets its first wind-energy generating turbine

The Yucaipa Planning Commission Wednesday night approved a wind turbine that city officials say will be the first in Yucaipa. A staff report states, "given the recent interest and incentives for natural resource energy generation, similar applications are likely to follow." Construction is expected to begin immediately and the turbine should be operational in about a month.

The 45-foot-tall device will be on a ridgeline on a 45-acre residential property on Diamond Point Drive, south of Wildwood Canyon Road. "That is a major ridgeline. It can be seen from all over," said Commissioner Denise Work. She said she would prefer the turbine to be shorter.

On a 6-1 vote, with Work dissenting, the commission approved the project on the condition that the top of the turbine have matte paint to reduce glare. The city notified 46 surrounding property owners of the proposed turbine and received four responses, the staff report states. All four objected to the project.

Thomas Lee wrote that the turbine "will take away from the natural beauty of the mountain top which we see everyday. Also, wind turbines make noise when in use and will disturb the surrounding neighbors' peace and quiet." Joe Denaga, an engineer for the manufacturer, said because the turbines have a slim design, they "get lost in the background." As for the noise, he said, "they are remarkably quiet" unless someone is standing within 200 feet of them.

For more information please contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net