Were there plans for energy development at Nevada's Spirit Mountain?
Swedish wind farm developer Eolus Vind twice sought approval from the Bureau of Land Management for wind projects at Spirit Mountain. In late November, President Joe Biden declared he would protect the mountain and its 450,000 surrounding acres, casting doubt on the project's realization.
Renewable energy projects to combat climate change have been met with concerns about how clean energy development will impact land, water and wildlife environmental protection.
Spirit Mountain, called Avi Kwa Ame by the Fort Mojave Tribe, is sacred to the 10 tribes that speak the Yuman language, including the Yavapai and Maricopa. The mountain features prominently in these tribes' creation stories.
The Kulning Wind Energy Project entails plans for 50 to 68 wind turbines capable of generating up to 310 megawatts of power for Nevada and California — enough energy to power 80,000 to 100,000 homes annually.