Green Civil War in the California Desert: The Ocotillo Express Wind Energy Project

In this assignment students develop an understanding of real world challenges and controversies over siting renewable energy projects.  The case is about a controversial wind farm in California’s Colorado Desert that would deliver electricity to metropolitan San Diego.  Some stakeholders involved in the process see this as an ideal site to decarbonize electricity.  Others have come to understand the wind energy farm as a severe ecological impact on a site rich in biodiversity and wildlife.  Students will recreate this wind farm controversy to understand the natural resources at stake and multiple stakeholder perspectives.  In addition to the in-class activities and assignments, students write about proposed solutions to the challenges associated with siting renewable energy projects.