September 20, 2018
Wyoming

Two new wind farms proposed for county

By Ray K. Erku | Rawlins Daily Times | September 20, 2018 | www.wyomingbusinessreport.com

RAWLINS – Two new wind farm projects were proposed to the Carbon County Commission on Tuesday.

Paul Martin, president of Intermountain Wind, LLC., an energy company based in Boulder, Colo., spearheaded a pre-application for a conditional use permit effort pertaining to Two Rivers and Lucky Star energy projects.

According to Martin, it was about 4-5 years ago that talks with landowners west of Rock River and around the town of Medicine Bow were had regarding the proposed routes of the projects. In addition, said Martin, these potential projects will mainly be taken on by BluEarth Renewables, Inc., based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Martin said he’s an acting project consultant for BluEarth and the proposed projects.

For the Two Rivers project, which is named after the Two Rivers Ranch north of Medicine Bow, Marin said the plan is for it to produce 280 megawatts. Despite not detailing how many turbines are set to be erected, he said the proposed line would “fall in the gap” between the current Dunlap wind farm, as well as the proposed Ekola and TB Flats projects.

Environmental work for Two Rivers began two years ago, with the Bureau of Land Management being involved, said Martin. A Plan of Development (POD) has been submitted to BLM, Martin added.

If approved, Martin said the project would interconnect with the Freezeout Substation northwest of Medicine Bow, at Township 23, range 8.

According to Martin, project officials anticipate a 2020 Commercial Operation Date (COD); however, this date is still uncertain. In addition, a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process will need to be cemented in order for the project to be approved.

Although no turbines will fall on BLM grounds, said Martin, transmission line and road right-of-ways are required.

For the Lucky Star project, Martin said the proposed route would fall primarily in Albany County; however, it would cross into land owned by the Medicine Bow River Ranch.

Thus far, said Martin, project officials and the BLM conducted biological fuel work about a month ago.

The plan is to interconnect the wind farm to the Aeolus Substation, which falls in Township 24, range 80 west. In addition, the COD for Lucky Star is 2022, said Martin.

Initial construction for Lucky Star is slated for 2021. Martin added that a “man camp” will be erected in the nearby area, if plans pan out.

Regarding both projects, Martin said project officials had a recent meeting with the Industrial Siting Committee, which will soon reach out to Carbon County and its municipalities.