Shasta County Triumphs as CEC Rejects Controversial Fountain Wind Project
By Timea Horvath
Fri, December 19, 2025 at 5:43 PM
The California Energy Commission (CEC) delivered a significant blow to the proposed Fountain Wind Project on Friday, December 19, 2025, by denying its application. This project aimed to establish a wind energy facility across roughly 2,855 acres of privately leased land situated in the Montgomery Creek and Round Mountain regions of Shasta County.
This recent decision echoes the Shasta County Planning Commission's ruling from 2021, along with the subsequent rejection from the Shasta County Board of Supervisors. Chris Kelstrom, who serves as the Chair of the Board for 2026, expressed his thoughts on the outcome while attending the meeting alongside County Executive Officer David Rickert. He stated, "Today marks a pivotal moment where the State of California’s attempt to override local governance has been halted. This project was ill-fitted for the densely forested eastern part of Shasta County. I want to extend my gratitude to our community, particularly the Pit River Tribe and Redding Rancheria, for their leadership in opposing this project. Their unwavering support was crucial to our success today."
Building on Kelstrom's comments, CEO Rickert noted, "For nearly a decade, our community has stood together against this initiative. It is this unity that we celebrate today, and we wish everyone a joyful and safe holiday season."
County officials revealed that advocates for the Fountain Wind Project had submitted an "opt-in" application to the CEC after facing local rejections, utilizing a process created under Assembly Bill 205 (2021-22).
To dive deeper into the details surrounding the Fountain Wind Project, you can find more information here Stop Fountain Wind. For access to the complete administrative record and public comments related to the project, visit here CEC Docket Log.
If you spot any inaccuracies or typos, please report them.
