Wyoming wind farm standards possible
The Coloradoan|Bobby Magill|November 10, 2009
The Wyoming Legislature might soon consider creating minimum standards for wind development statewide, a move that might have implications for future Cowboy State wind farms that could supply power to Colorado utilities. ...A Wyoming legislative task force on wind energy has recommended regulating wind development across the state because a lack of regulation could impact both quality of life and the environment, according to a task force report issued Nov. 1.
The Wyoming Legislature might soon consider creating minimum standards for wind development statewide, a move that might have implications for future Cowboy State wind farms that could supply power to Colorado utilities. ...A Wyoming legislative task force on wind energy has recommended regulating wind development across the state because a lack of regulation could impact both quality of life and the environment, according to a task force report issued Nov. 1.
The Wyoming Legislature might soon consider creating minimum standards for wind development statewide, a move that might have implications for future Cowboy State wind farms that could supply power to Colorado utilities.
Currently, Platte River Power Authority in Fort Collins obtains wind power generated from two wind farms in Wyoming: the Medicine Bow Wind Project northwest of Laramie and the recently completed Silver Sage Wind Power Project operated by Duke Energy just west of Cheyenne.
A Wyoming legislative task force on wind energy has recommended regulating wind development across the state because a lack of regulation could impact both quality of life and …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]The Wyoming Legislature might soon consider creating minimum standards for wind development statewide, a move that might have implications for future Cowboy State wind farms that could supply power to Colorado utilities.
Currently, Platte River Power Authority in Fort Collins obtains wind power generated from two wind farms in Wyoming: the Medicine Bow Wind Project northwest of Laramie and the recently completed Silver Sage Wind Power Project operated by Duke Energy just west of Cheyenne.
A Wyoming legislative task force on wind energy has recommended regulating wind development across the state because a lack of regulation could impact both quality of life and the environment, according to a task force report issued Nov. 1.
There are about 20 wind projects active in Wyoming - about twice the number of projects active in Colorado - producing 985 megawatts of electricity, according to American Wind Energy Association data. Six of those projects were completed this year.
The task force recommends Wyoming lawmakers pass legislation adopting minimum standards for wind farm development, including requirements for wind farm site distance from nearby development and notification of landowners and towns near a proposed wind farm, encouraging appropriate regulation of wind power transmission and studying how wind development affects wildlife.
"I think the positive thing that comes from this, it will create an atmosphere of certainty for developers," said Cheryl Riley, executive director of the Wyoming Power Producers Association. "Some of our member companies say it does add an extra level of regulation that other states don't have. We're pretty supportive of it because we know what the rules are."
Colorado has no state land-use requirements for wind developers, leaving such regulation up to local jurisdictions, said Todd Hartmann, spokesman for the Colorado Governor's Energy Office.
The Platte River Power Authority has no plans to develop wind in the Cowboy State, spokeswoman Rae Todd said.
"It doesn't really impact us directly yet," she said of the push for regulations in Wyoming. "It does Duke."
Greg Efthimiou, spokesman for Duke Energy, said the regulations would make Wyoming unique.
"I don't think we've encountered a situation yet where those types of regulations are in place," he said, declining to comment about specific task force recommendations.