US wind farm developer Pattern Energy has received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission for a 20-year power purchase agreement with the Pacific Diego Gas & Electric, which will support the 315MW Octillio wind farm.
The facility will be located in southern California and, once all approvals and permits are met, Pattern plans to commence construction in the first half of the year and have the site operational by the close of 2012.
Once construction begins, Pattern intends to begin numerous mitigation measures to benefit causes in the region including providing $3.5m to the Parks Department for ecological work.
Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern, said, 'We appreciate the strong support we have received across a broad spectrum of interests for this project, which will create 300 immediate construction jobs in a community with the highest unemployment rate in the nation. Pattern is proud to implement cutting-edge measures for avoiding impacts on cultural and environmental resources. We will continue to work closely with the community and Native Americans, as well as environmentalists and local agencies to ensure the region's cultural heritage and environmental resources alike are preserved and protected.'
Johnny Simpson, spokesperson for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, said, 'The commitments made by the project on work within the jurisdiction of Local 569 will result in the employment of local workers, and will maintain area wage and benefit standards. The Project will also support the training of IBEW apprentices in programmes approved by the California Apprenticeship Council. These commitments will ensure that project construction provides maximum economic and employment benefits to the local communities in the vicinity of the project.'