Shasta County, CA – During today’s regularly scheduled business meeting of the California Energy Commission (CEC) in Sacramento, Commissioners adopted the Executive Director’s recommendation to deny the Fountain Wind Project (Project).
This decision validates the initial 2021 decision of the Shasta County Planning Commission to reject the Project. That decision was followed by an appeal to the Shasta County Board of Supervisors, who also rejected the Project.
In response to this decision, 2026 Chair of the Board Chris Kelstrom, who attended the meeting in-person with County Executive Officer, David Rickert, stated, “the landmark effort to override local governance by the State of California has short-circuited today.”
Kelstrom continued, “this Project was never suited for the heavily forested eastern region of Shasta County, and I’d like to take a moment to thank our community, especially the Pit River Tribe, and Redding Rancheria, who have been leaders in every effort to oppose this Project. Without their support, we would not have been successful today.”
CEO Rickert followed with, “For nearly ten years, our local community has been united in opposing this Project. It’s with that solidarity and gratitude in mind that we thank them today, and wish everyone a happy, safe holiday.”
Proponents for the Fountain Wind Project submitted an “opt-in” application to the CEC after the Project was rejected locally, via a mechanism established under Assembly Bill 205 (2021-22).
For additional background on the Fountain Wind Project, and to access the complete administrative record and public comments, please use the links below:
https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/Lists/DocketLog.aspx?docketnumber=23-OPT-01
