Mulqueeney Ranch Wind Repowering in Altamont Pass: Why a 2024 Revised Permit Matters

ALTAMONT PASS, Alameda County — The wind-turbine landscape in the eastern Altamont hills has been undergoing a long-term shift from older, small machines to larger turbines. The Mulqueeney Ranch Wind Repowering Project is one of the larger proposals documented by Alameda County.

What was originally proposed?

According to the county planning project archive, a developer associated with Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners sought to replace 518 earlier turbine sites with a substantially smaller number of modern turbines across 29 parcels totaling approximately 4,589 acres.

The original 2019 proposal evaluated up to 36 turbines and 80 megawatts of nameplate capacity. Following environmental review, county planners considered a reduced project alternative. A state environmental record from October 2021 describes a proposal with up to 24 new turbines at a maximum of 80 megawatts.

Why the plans need careful reading

The county webpage expressly identifies a later revised permit application, PLN2024-00055, and links to March 2024 amendment documents. Therefore, the original 36-turbine layout should not be presented as the final current design, and a historic approval does not establish how many turbines have been installed and energized in 2026.

The project has also been scrutinized for potential impacts on eagles, other raptors and bats. These considerations are part of environmental review, not confirmation of a particular wildlife mortality count from the project today.

How to follow it

Residents can examine the Alameda County project page, its amended permit materials and environmental documents. County Planning identifies project contact Albert Lopez, 510-670-5400. Work activity, land disturbance and the operation of specific turbines require separate current evidence.

Sources: Alameda County Community Development Agency, Mulqueeney Ranch repowering archive and 2024 amendment reference; State Clearinghouse SCH 2010082063. No developer photographs or rendering files reproduced.

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