Wind Power News: Wyoming
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted.
Commissioners approve wind turbine permit
The Albany County Board of Commissioners approved a permit application Tuesday for a wind tower that was submitted by PacifiCorp Energy.
The commissioners also approved a directive to publish a proposed licensure fee for small wastewater systems installers and pumpers.
PacifiCorp’s application is for an 80-meter (262-foot) meteorological tower that would be erected 1.5 miles east of Fetterman Road on two acres of land that is listed under Twelve Mile Ranch.
The tower will be used to measure wind energy . . .
A land rush in Wyoming spurred by wind power
WHEATLAND, Wyo. — The man who came to Elsie Bacon’s ranch house door in July asked the 71-year-old widow to grant access to a right of way across the dry hills and short grasses of her land here. Ms. Bacon remembered his insistence on a quick, secret deal.
The man, a representative of the Little Rose Wind Farm of Boulder, Colo., sought an easement for a transmission line to carry his company’s wind-generated electricity to market. His offer: a . . .
Planned wind farm raises concerns
A planned wind project near Hanna in Carbon County has raised concerns from some about how it might affect natural and cultural resources in the area.
The Medicine Bow Conservation District and the Hanna Historical Society asked Horizon Wind Energy not to harm natural or cultural resources when building its 154-turbine wind project.
Ken Besel, representing both the conservation district and the historical society, asked Horizon to avoid the historic Carbon Cemetery, sage grouse strutting grounds, archaeological sites, elk habitat . . .
Anywhere the wind blows?
A Wyoming conservation group wants wind energy developers to protect wildlife and important “viewsheds” when siting future wind farms — and it has released a detailed report it hopes will help guide decisions about where wind turbines will be placed.
The Laramie-based Biodiversity Conservation Alliance released a 50-plus page study on Friday [click here or here to download the report], offering recommendations for places in the state the group deems most suitable for wind power development.
The report also outlines . . .
Biologists trying to keep wildlife out of 'ER'
While the federal endangered species list is intensive care for wildlife populations on the brink of extinction, Wyoming has its own list of species in need of preventative care.
The state list, called Wyoming’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need, covers 279 species from mammals to mollusks. Of those, 235 are simply listed because too little is known to even determine whether they’re in good shape.
The list presents an opportunity to treat the problem before it becomes a crisis, said . . .
Wind project at standstill
Representatives from White Mountain Wind LLC came before the county commissioners yesterday to seek adjustments for the placement of 36 wind turbines on White Mountain. After much discussion, White Mountain Wind withdrew the resolution, in order to bring it back at another time.
White Mountain Wind asked to untable the resolution to discuss moving the proposed placement of the turbines to locations near the approved locations to make better use of the wind on White Mountain. Gary Tassainer said he . . .
Another windfarm targets early 2009 for construction
Converse County residents can expect more iconic turbines looming on the horizon in the coming months, bringing economic stimulus and potential jobs with Duke Energy’s Campbell Hill windpower project.
The previously announced 66 turbine project is moving toward achieving final site permitting from the state Industrial Siting Council which company officials hope will be completed by February or March of next year.
The siting process will decide the amount of impact fees Converse County would receive from the project.
Construction . . .
BLM holds meetings on public lands plan
CODY — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is revising its Big Horn Basin resource management plan, a document that guides many of the policies about how public lands will be administered for the next decade or more.
The agency will hold scoping meetings on the issue in three local communities this week, and Park County Commissioner Jill Shockley Siggins said she wants to make sure residents show up to voice their opinions.
“They revise this plan about every 20 . . .
County residents can rope the wind
Natrona County residents will be able to generate their own electricity with small wind turbines, after the county commission approved new regulations on Tuesday.
“What’s been adopted really opens it up,” Eric Nelson said Thursday.
Domestic wind turbines will be permitted uses in all zoned areas, Nelson said.
However, an amendment to the regulations will require people living on Casper Mountain to obtain conditional use permits, he said.
The commission’s action followed the Sept. 23 approval of emergency regulations for . . .
Council questions proposed wind rules
One day, constructing a wind turbine in your Casper backyard might be as easy as building a shed.
For now, it’s a more complicated process, and if some Casper City Council members have their say it may stay that way.
The Casper City Council discussed a new ordinance in a recent work session that would outline specific rules for personal wind turbines that could be in the city limits.
Some council members support the idea, and said the proposed regulations . . .
