Recorded Options, Leases, and Deeds by Wind Companies in Kern County

Alta Windpower Development Company has recorded five leases, five options, and one deed for a right of way in Kern County in the past 10 months, the majority being in the past four months.

Rather than leasing land, it looks like Enxco Development Corp. is purchasing the land it wants, having recorded four deeds since November 2007 and two leases in 2006, along with several rights of way.

But the big winner in obtaining options in Kern County is Power Partners Southwest, LLC. They have recorded nine options and 38 leases in Kern County since January 2006.

CLICK HERE for the link to the Kern County Recorder's Office to search on your own.

Big Wind Expanding in the Tehachapi Area

How would you like a row of these in your backyard? If you live in Mountain Meadows or Old West Ranch, two unincorporated residential and estate developments near Tehachapi in Kern County, you may be getting some sooner than you think.

The owners of 80 acres of land at the edge of Old West Ranch and Mountain Meadows have signed a lease with Alta Windpower Development, LLC, a company linked with Oak Creek Energy, to bring large, commercial turbines onto the property that is located in an area adjacent to 2.5-3.5 acres residential properties in Mountain Meadows.

In order to bring the turbines in, Alta will have to change the zoning and acquire the necessary permits. Hopefully local property owners will oppose this as it is a documented fact that the presence of large wind turbines decreases neighboring property values by between 20-30%. That is not to mention the noise effects and unsightliness of a big turbine that will affect the eardrums and views of neighbors within a wide radius.

The proposed turbines may also be in the flight path of Skylark North Glider School which may pose problems for Alta's placement of the turbines.

More on this to come after I obtain a copy of the lease from the county and speak with someone at Oak Creek.