California produces 43 percent of the nation's total wind capacity.

California has slipped to 2nd position (behind Texas) in the generation of electricity using wind in the U.S., producing about 20 percent of the nation's total capacity.  Production from public lands contributes slightly more than 10 percent of California's wind energy total, with more than 3,300 turbines producing 285 megawatts on approximately 3,000 acres.  Most of this production comes from the San Gorgonio Pass area in Riverside County and the Tehachapi Pass area in Kern County.

To accelerate development, BLM completed the national Wind Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) in 2005, to lay the groundwork for specific project proposals.  In addition, ongoing planning efforts in the Ukiah, Hollister, and Folsom BLM Field office areas have included an analysis of potential wind energy projects.  Currently, testing is occurring in a number of areas using anemometers to judge wind strength and sustainability.

More than 3,300 turbines produce 285 megawatts of wind energy.

BLM also assists in the development of wind energy projects on private lands by is suing access rights-of-way for roads and power lines across public lands, such as the recently approved Pine Tree development in Kern County.  Finally, efforts are also underway to "repower" existing systems to improve efficiency, reduce impacts to birds, and better integrate wind energy resources into the state's transmission system.