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Wind Power News: Wyoming
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Wind turbine collapses in Cheyenne, company investigating cause
An energy company is investigating what caused one of its wind turbines near Cheyenne to collapse recently. Duke Energy spokeswoman Valerie Patterson told Cowboy State Daily on Friday that the collapse of the turbine west of Cheyenne was reported on Feb. 23, but the company is still investigating the cause. No one was injured in the incident. “Things like this take a lot of care to handle, so we’re approaching our removal and cleanup efforts very methodically,” Patterson said. “There . . . Complete story »
Citizen approaches city about recycling wind turbine blades disposed in Casper landfill, seeing potential for more profits
CASPER, Wyo. – Casper citizen Jake Milne approached the Casper City Council on Tuesday, saying that he represents a coalition of twelve companies that are interested in finding a use for wind turbine blades that have been disposed of in the Casper Regional landfill. Companies paying fees to dispose of wind turbine blades and motor housing generated over $600,000 in revenue for the city between May 2019 and September 2020. However, Casper Solid Waste Division Manager Cynthia Langston told the council . . . Complete story »
Albany County approves 32,000-acre Rock Creek Wind Project
A large wind farm has now won approval from both Carbon and Albany County Commissioners, and now awaits state and federal approvals before construction can start. In December, the Albany County Commission tabled an application for the Rock Creek Wind Project, which seeks to put more than 100 turbines north of Laramie. Some of the commissioners wanted more time to ask questions about the project’s environmental impacts. Chair Pete Gosar said some of those questions have been answered. “But I . . . Complete story »
County Commission approves Rock Creek Wind Project
The Albany County Board of Commissioners have approved a wind energy conversion systems permit for the Rock Creek Wind Project by a 3-0 vote. The commission had tabled the project following a public hearing Dec. 7 after commissioners asked for more time to ask questions and took the issue up again this past week. Following a discussion about fire suppression, impacts to wildlife and the use of aircraft detection lighting systems, project lead developer Chase Martson and attorney Greg Weisz . . . Complete story »
Lawmakers move to limit state aid to communities stressed by large construction
Spurred by concerns over lack of accountability and financial reporting, lawmakers will try again to lower state payments designed to help counties and towns deal with impacts of large industrial developments such as wind farms and power plants. The Joint Minerals, Business, and Economic Development Committee on Thursday advanced the draft Local impact assistance payments bill. The measure would lower the maximum-allowed percentages of state sales and use taxes that are redirected to communities to help them pay for fire, . . . Complete story »
The wind keeps blowing
After three meetings and months of discussion, a potential moratorium on energy development from the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) in the Shirley Basin failed by a vote of 2-3 on December 7. The split vote from the county commissioners came after multiple individuals from Medicine Bow spoke out against the moratorium. Prior to the vote by the BOCCC, Chairman John Johnson allowed members of the public to comment on the potential action. Before the comments, however, Carbon County . . . Complete story »
129-turbine wind power project on the clock
Following a public hearing for the proposed Rock Creek Wind Project this week, the Albany County Board of Commissioners has 45 days to make a decision about whether to approve its wind energy conversion systems permit. The commission declined to make a decision this week as commissioners wanted time to ask more questions about the project in coming weeks. Chicago-based Invenergy has proposed the 590-megawatt project that calls for up to 129 turbines on mostly private land about 25 miles . . . Complete story »
County considers 129-turbine Rock Creek Wind Project
Following a public hearing for the proposed Rock Creek Wind Project this week, the Albany County Board of Commissioners has 45 days to make a decision about whether to approve its wind energy conversion systems permit. The commission declined to make a decision Tuesday, as commissioners wanted time to ask more questions about the project in coming weeks. Chicago-based Invenergy has proposed the 590-megawatt project that calls for up to 129 turbines on mostly private land about 25 miles north . . . Complete story »
Albany County tables decision on 32,000-acre Rock Creek wind farm
A massive wind farm planned for Albany County is one step closer to approval. The Albany County Commissioners accepted an application for the Rock Creek Wind Farm during a meeting Tuesday, but delayed a final decision to allow more time for consideration. The Rock Creek project would install around 114 turbines on 32,600 acres of land northwest of Laramie. The project would stretch over into Carbon County, where another 15 turbines have already been approved by the county commissioners there. . . . Complete story »
Wyoming’s Rail Tie Wind Project continues in spite of opposition
On Nov. 19, the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) published the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Rail Tie Wind Project, allowing for more assessments on the impact that the wind turbines will have. The project, which is being undertaken by ConnectGen, is still at least a year away from the start of construction and the EIS also attempted to address some of the comments that were received both for and against the project. Mark Wieringa, the National Environmental . . . Complete story »
