Governors' Wind Energy Coalition

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angels County Board of Supervisors is taking steps to ban utility-scale wind turbines in unincorporated areas of the county.

The Los Angeles Daily News reports that the supervisors unanimously approved a draft Renewable Energy Ordinance that updated regulations on small-scale wind and solar projects and utility-scale solar projects.

A supervisor  whose district includes Antelope Valley, says many residents have complained of large wind turbines, saying they would destroy their vistas, impeded aerial firefighting, create dust and noise and contribute to health concerns like valley fever.

The new regulations incentivize the construction of small-scale projects and projects that are mounted on roofs and other existing structures by establishing minimal regulations.

Small-scale wind farms up to 85 feet tall are still allowed under the proposed ordinance.