Originally targeted for development in 2005, Sunshine Wind Park, Arizona's first utility-scale wind energy facility, announced on August 30 that construction start-up will be delayed until 2007. Reasons for the delay include inconclusive power purchase negotiations with Arizona Public Service, increased installation costs, and a lawsuit brought by Red Gap Ranch, LLC challenging the conditional use permit granted by the Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission. Warren Byrne, Managing Director of Sunshine Arizona Wind Energy, the company behind the development, indicated they remain fully committed to the project in spite of the roadblocks. The park is to include 40 state-of-the-art wind turbines and is to be located approximately 36 miles east of Flagstaff on lands leased from the Bar-T-Bar Ranch, the Hopi Tribe, and another private landowner.

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