| In 2006, the Los Angeles Department of Water | | | | accessible in certain seasons because the |
| and Power in an alliance with General | | | | climate affects wind speed. In Los Angeles, |
| Electric, went forward with a 120 megawatt | | | | speeds are highest in the scorching summer |
| wind farm, named the Pine Tree Wind Project. | | | | period. An estimated three-quarters of all |
| It is hoped that it will one day satisfy 20 | | | | yearly wind energy is generated during the |
| percent of the utility's energy requirements. | | | | spring and summer. |
| | | | |
| Back in 2004, wind energy in the whole state | | | | Though power created by older wind turbines |
| of California produced more than 4,200 | | | | is not as cost effective as some other forms |
| million kilowatt-hours of electricity, | | | | of energy generation, new generation wind |
| approximately 1.5 percent of all electricity | | | | turbine designs should be able to compete |
| generated. More than 90 percent of all of the | | | | with power costs from nuclear and coal |
| state's wind generating apparatus is located | | | | plants. |
| in three regions: Altamont Pass, San Gorgonio | | | | |
| and Tehachapi. | | | | Some advantages in utilizing wind energy |
| | | | include: replacement of polluting |
| Wind power plants are comprised of turbines | | | | conventional power plants; no pollution in |
| that take advantage of the energy in wind | | | | the air, soil or water; it is completely |
| motion to make mechanical energy, which is | | | | renewable; the installment is relatively |
| then converted into electrical energy. Wind | | | | swift; and energy production not swayed by |
| turbines can be placed near farms, homes and | | | | gas and oil price increases. |
| businesses in breezy locations, such as along | | | | |
| the Los Angeles coast. Turbines are | | | | However, there are some issues with wind |
| deployable in areas where it isn't | | | | power, such as: the required use of extensive |
| cost-efficient to place power lines. | | | | tracts of land, albeit the fact that |
| | | | simultaneous land uses are available for such |
| The parts of a wind farm include turbines, | | | | tasks as agriculture and cattle grazing. |
| which feed through an underground power | | | | Other potential concerns are that it can |
| conduit and a connection from the farm to the | | | | cause erosion in desert areas, and disrupt |
| closest power grid. Wind power is more | | | | wildlife habitats. |