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Fountain Wind Project Dies - Again

California Energy Commission Denies Controversial Project

In a significant decision for renewable energy development in California, the California Energy Commission (CEC) unanimously voted to deny certification for the Fountain Wind Project on December 19, 2025. Much to the satisfaction of members of the Pit River Tribe and many Shasta County citizens, this marks the third rejection for the ambitious wind energy initiative proposed in eastern Shasta County. This latest step in the saga highlights the ongoing tension between the state's aggressive clean energy goals and local environmental, cultural, and community concerns.


The project, initially proposed nearly a decade ago by Houston-based developer ConnectGen (later acquired by Spanish energy giant Repsol), aimed to install up to 48 wind turbines—some towering as high as 600 feet—across approximately 2,855 acres of forested, mountainous terrain near the communities of Round Mountain and Burney. Adjacent to the existing Hatchet Ridge Wind Farm, the site was selected for its strong wind resources, with the potential to generate clean electricity sufficient to power around 80,000 homes annually.

Here's a map illustrating the proposed project area in Shasta County:


Proposed area for the project - Eastern Shasta County near the town of Burney - photo courtesy of KRCT TV
Proposed area for the project - Eastern Shasta County near the town of Burney - photo courtesy of KRCT TV

Project Background and Local Rejections

The Fountain Wind Project first faced opposition at the local level. In 2021, Shasta County officials denied the proposal, citing incompatibilities with the county's general plan, potential environmental impacts, and risks to public safety, including heightened wildfire dangers in the region's fire-prone forests. A second local rejection followed, but developers sought a workaround through California's Assembly Bill 205, enacted in 2022. This legislation allowed certain renewable energy projects to bypass local permitting and apply directly to the CEC for expedited state-level approval, aligning with Governor Gavin Newsom's push for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045.


As the first project reviewed under this "opt-in" mechanism, Fountain Wind underwent a rigorous two-year evaluation by CEC staff, culminating in a 1,200-page assessment released in October 2025. The report identified an unprecedented 47 significant and unavoidable impacts, including habitat destruction for wildlife, threats to birds and bats from turbine collisions, interference with aerial firefighting operations, and increased wildfire risks due to access roads and infrastructure in remote, wooded areas. This photo depicts existing wind turbines in the area. The proposed project would be approximately four times larger.


Existing wind turbines near Burney - photo courtesy of KRCRTV.com
Existing wind turbines near Burney - photo courtesy of KRCRTV.com

Cultural Significance and Tribal Opposition

Central to the opposition was the project's location on lands sacred to the Pit River Tribe, whose ancestral territories span multiple North State counties. Tribe members, including Chairman Yatch Bamford and activist Awi Gustafson, described the area as a holy site integral to their cultural and spiritual practices, likening its importance to protected American landmarks like Mount Rushmore or Arlington National Cemetery. The CEC assessment concluded that the development would cause irreversible damage to these cultural resources without providing meaningful benefits to the Tribal communities, many of whom still lack reliable electricity access.


The Pit River Tribe led a coalition of opponents, including local residents, ranchers, environmentalists, and even bipartisan political figures from Shasta County. Protests and public testimonies emphasized ongoing discrimination against Indigenous lands and the need to prioritize cultural preservation over industrial development.

Images from Pit River Tribe protests against the project:


Citizen opposition to the project - photo courtesy actionsnowtv.com
Citizen opposition to the project - photo courtesy actionsnowtv.com

The CEC Decision and Reactions

During the December 19 meeting, CEC commissioners, including Chair David Hochschild, stressed that the denial was project-specific and not a blanket rejection of wind energy in California. However, they acknowledged the challenges in balancing renewable energy ambitions with environmental protection and Tribal sovereignty. Shasta County officials, including CEO David Rickert, attended the hearing in Sacramento despite inclement weather, celebrating the outcome as a victory for local control and community values.


Repsol expressed disappointment, highlighting nearly a decade of investment and the project's alignment with California's fossil fuel transition. Some supporters voiced concerns about potential federal policy shifts under the incoming Trump administration that could further complicate renewable projects.


Broader Implications for California's Energy Future

This denial underscores the limitations of AB 205's fast-track process, which has yet to approve any projects under the opt-in pathway. Critics argue it overrides local democracy, while proponents see it as essential for meeting ambitious climate targets amid NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard) and regulatory hurdles. Shasta County had even filed a lawsuit against the CEC over jurisdictional issues, which was paused pending the vote.


Sources:

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