The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has approved Pattern Energy's 315 MW Ocotillo Express wind project, which will be built on more than 10,000 acres of public lands near Ocotillo, Calif.
The wind farm has undergone extensive environmental review, starting with public scoping in December 2010, followed by a draft environment impact statement (EIS) in July 2011 and a final EIS in March.
Due to cultural concerns, the project underwent several changes as a result of tribal input, including reducing the number of wind turbines from 155 to 112 and eliminating turbines that would block viewsheds important to the tribes, the DOI says.
The DOI's decision authorizes the Bureau of Land Management to offer Pattern Energy a right-of-way grant to use these public lands for 30 years if all rents and other conditions are met.
