News
Member of Congress Eli Crane Sends Letter to USDA and Forest Service
July 6, 2026 – Washington DC
Click Here to Read the Letter
Seligman Residents Turn Out in Force Against Proposed Camino Madre Wind Farm at Triple Oak Power Open House
June 25, 2026 – Seligman, AZ
More than 300 local residents descended on Seligman High School on June 25 to voice strong opposition during Triple Oak Power’s open house for the proposed Camino Madre wind energy project.
While Triple Oak had a small team on hand to field questions, the mood inside the school cafeteria was overwhelmingly against the project. Attendees packed the space, with many turned away to a long line outside due to capacity limits. The gathering highlighted deep community concerns about the potential impact on homes, property values, wildlife, and the character of the area near the Prescott National Forest.
Prior to the open house, neighbors gathered at the Seligman Cemetery for a meet-and-greet. The group heard a passionate send-off speech before heading to the school, where others were already arriving. What stood out to many observers was the diversity of the crowd—people from varied backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, and political viewpoints stood united in opposition.
“This is seen as an attack on our homes,” one resident remarked, capturing the sentiment shared by many in attendance.
Jesse Garcia and his wife Berta were among those who attended. When asked about the wind turbines, Jesse simply replied, “Es no bueno!” The couple drew from personal experience, having witnessed the effects of a wind farm near Indio, California. They described how the development led residents to move away, businesses to close, and property values to plummet to nearly nothing.
Other concerns centered on the project’s potential effects on local wildlife in the Prescott National Forest. Residents repeatedly asked: Of all the possible locations for a wind farm, why here?
The strong showing reflects growing resistance to the Camino Madre proposal, which many fear could fundamentally alter the rural landscape and quality of life in northern Arizona. Community members plan to continue voicing their opposition as the project moves forward through permitting processes.
Click Here to See YouTube Video of Event - Facing Giants
Yavapai County Planning & Zoning Commission Hears Triple Oak’s MET Towers Application
March 20, 2025 – Cottonwood AZ
On March 20, 2025, the Yavapai County Planning & Zoning Commission held a public hearing on Use Permit application PLA24-000120, submitted by Triple Oak Power LLC (on behalf of Yavapai Ranch owners) for four temporary 197-foot meteorological (MET) test towers.
What Was Presented
Staff Presentation (Susan Hébert, Planner):The towers were requested for a 5-year period on ~11,200 acres in the RCU-2A zoning district to collect wind data for potential future wind energy development.
Towers would be temporary, non-transferable, and required removal afterward.
Staff reported one letter of support and two letters of opposition received.
Five Conditions of Approval were recommended, with potential additions based on agency input (e.g., from Arizona Game & Fish Department – AZGFD).
Clarifications were provided on the checkerboard pattern of private land (tan) and Prescott National Forest land (green), noting towers would only be on private parcels.
Key Commissioner Questions & Discussion:
Commissioners sought assurances that approving the MET towers did not approve future wind turbines. Staff and the applicant emphasized the permit was strictly limited to the four data towers.
Concerns about height limits, inconsistencies in reports, bird flight diverters/aircraft markers (AZGFD recommendations), structural safety, and access (including potential Forest Service land use).
Questions about the project’s connection to prior Yavapai Ranch approvals (a previous Planned Area Development and wind permit that had expired).
Discussion on data collection duration (applicant requested 5 years for more robust seasonal data; typical is 1–2 years).Commissioner Radoccia asked about anticipated future wind farm size; CEO Jesse Gronner indicated “multiple hundreds of megawatts,” limited by transmission and other factors. He defended wind power as complementary to solar for meeting energy demand.
Applicant Presentation (Jesse Gronner, Triple Oak CEO):Clarified distinctions from prior projects (Triple Oak was not involved in the earlier 2012 effort).Emphasized minimal impacts, industry-standard towers, and commitment to environmental considerations.
Noted ongoing grid studies and community outreach efforts. Landowner representative Mr. Ruskin was also present.
Outcome:
The Commission voted to recommend approval of the Use Permit with amended Conditions of Approval (including AZGFD protections) and forwarded it to the Board of Supervisors, which later approved it on April 16, 2025.
Why This Hearing Matters to Us
While framed as a minor data-collection step, the hearing revealed the clear intent to pursue a large-scale industrial wind project. Limited prior notifications meant many nearby residents were unaware or only learned details during/after the process. This early approval laid the groundwork for the broader Camino Madre proposal now facing community opposition.
The opposition continues pushing for full transparency, comprehensive environmental reviews, and strong public input before any further steps are taken.
Full Video of the Yavapai County Hearing
MET Tower Permit Packet PDF
Triple Oak Power’s Limited Neighbor Notifications for MET Towers Left Many in the Dark
Date: Late 2024
As part of the citizen participation process for the Use Permit (PLA24-000120) to install four temporary 197-foot meteorological (MET) test towers, Triple Oak Power conducted two rounds of mailings to nearby property owners.
October 2024 Initial Mailing: Sent to property owners within 1,000 feet of the proposed tower sites - reaching only about 7 recipients.
December 2024 Follow-up Mailing: Expanded to properties within a ½ mile radius, reaching approximately 180 recipients based on the county assessor’s list. This came after the applicant met with county staff.The letters described the proposal as four temporary, non-permanent structures for wind data collection over a 5-year period, after which they would be removed. They emphasized minimal impact: quick off-road installation (1-2 days per site with no grading or new utilities), silent and solar-powered operation, limited maintenance visits, and a full decommissioning plan.
Limited Awareness in the Neighborhood
Despite these mailings, many residents in the broader area - especially those living slightly farther out or not on the exact assessor list - remained completely unaware of the project until much later. Even among those who received the notices, a common reaction was to view the towers as relatively harmless meteorological data collection equipment rather than the initial step toward a much larger industrial wind development.
County records show only five inquiries in response (mostly from recipients simply asking whether a tower would be placed on their own property) and two formal objections. One objection was a general stance against renewable energy development on the land; the other cited concerns over ruined views. After follow-up clarifications on tower locations, no further issues were reported from those contacted.
Why This Matters
These notifications met the minimum requirements for the MET towers Use Permit (later approved by the Board of Supervisors in April 2025), but they did not reach or fully inform the wider community that would be impacted by any future full-scale Camino Madre wind, solar, and battery project. Many neighbors only learned of the broader plans through grassroots efforts like Stop the Seligman Wind Turbine Farm and Eagle Swatters.
We believe true transparency requires broader outreach, clear information about potential future development, and meaningful public engagement - especially for a project of this scale in such a sensitive location.
Click Here to View Letters
Triple Oak Power Secures Letter of Support from Seligman Chamber of Commerce for MET Towers
Date: 2024
In 2024, during the permitting process for four temporary 197-foot meteorological (MET) test towers, Triple Oak Power came to Seligman and made a presentation to the Seligman Chamber of Commerce. Many attending members recall the intended plan was vague and presented as a benign wind farm project far away on private land. Triple Oak Power spoke of increased tax revenue for the county, economic opportunities, and other improvements and benefits. Overall, the attending members didn't realize the size, scope and proximity of the future project.
Despite some skepticism and mixed feelings, Triple Oak Power obtained a letter of support from the Seligman Chamber of Commerce. The letter backed the data collection phase of the proposed Camino Madre project.Company representatives highlighted this support while addressing the Yavapai County Planning & Zoning Commission, noting their efforts to build relationships in the Seligman area and address local economic development needs.
Context for Our Community:
While the Chamber’s letter addressed only the short-term test towers (approved in April 2025), the full Camino Madre industrial wind, solar, and battery project -potentially involving up to ~76 massive turbines - remains in early permitting stages and faces strong local opposition. Many residents and landowners view this as the first step toward irreversible industrial development on sensitive checkerboard lands intermixed with the Prescott National Forest.
The opposition continues to advocate for thorough environmental reviews, transparent public input, and consideration of lower-impact alternative sites. We encourage everyone to stay informed, attend meetings, and contact county supervisors.Sources: Yavapai County Planning & Zoning minutes and public records.