Article: Blown away: county's permit process flattens wind turbine business.

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WITH their blustery winds and open spaces, the far-flung expanses of unincorporated Los Angeles County seemed a promising market for Bob Hayes' business, installing small energy-generating wind turbines behind homes.

But Hayes has discovered the expense and delays of the county's permit procedures have slowed his breezy business proposition to a standstill.

Hayes and other installers said they often have to pay up to $10,000 in fees and wait months to get the permits required to build wind turbines for customers who live in unincorporated areas of the county. That stands in contrast to other counties around California, ...

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