The profitability of 36 potential wind sites is assessed using ArcInfo to estimate the development cost and the Elfin model to estimate the time varying value of generated electricity. Digital elevation model (DEM) data for the areas around the sites, processed using ArcInfo, supplied contour lines on which wind turbine sites were placed. A California Energy Commission ArcView GIS coverage of major transmission lines was imported into ArcInfo and, together with Esri highway data, was overlaid on a three-dimensional surface. ArcInfo-estimated distances from roads and transmission were used in site development cost estimation.