Mega Wyoming Wind Project Would Contain 1,000 Trubines
FORT COLLINS, CO - The Bureau of Land Management has asked ENSR to prepare the environmental impact statement (EIS) for a major new wind energy project proposed by the Power Company of Wyoming.
The power company filed right-of-way applications with the BLM Rawlins Field Office to develop two wind farms on 98,000 acres in the Rawlins and Carbon County areas of Wyoming. The projects would be located partially on federal lands administered by BLM, and on interspersed private lands. Livestock grazing (the current land use) would continue after the project is developed.
The proposed 1,000 turbine wind energy project on the two sites would provide 2,000 megawatts of power to the national electric power grid, establishing Wyoming as the third-largest wind energy generation state, behind Texas and California.
ENSR was selected to assist the BLM with preparing the EIS because of its environmental permitting and management experience with large, complex energy projects. Expected issues to be addressed in the EIS include effects on wildlife and cultural resources, and changes in the appearance of rural landscapes from installation of large wind turbines.
ENSR has extensive experience with environmental impact statements, having completed more than 30 during the last 10 years for industrial development projects under the direction of the BLM and other federal agencies. These projects have included oil and gas field developments, natural gas and natural gas liquids pipelines, electrical transmission lines, power plants, and precious metal mines.
“We are looking forward to analyzing a wind energy project at such a large geographic scale,” said Scott Ellis, ENSR’s Director of Capital Permitting. “Wind power will have a prominent role in the expansion of America’s use of renewable energy resources. We are committed to assisting the BLM to prepare a technically sound and comprehensive EIS, since this project will likely serve as a model for future large wind energy developments on federal lands in the western U.S.”</br>
The BLM, which provides opportunities for public participation during the EIS process, held several public scoping meetings in Carbon County last month.
Filed Under: ARCHIVES • Feature Articles • RENEWABLES / CLEANTECH
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Comment by Shirley Webb on 23 October 2008:
What impact will this have on wildlife not to mention property values of persons owning property adjacent to this wind farm. How boring to sit on your deck and look at wind turbines when you purchased property that is wild and pristine and meant for viewing wildlife, sunsets, and mountains.
Comment by Richard Warner on 15 January 2009:
As with everything, it is possible to overdo it. As with everything, we want to exploit out more than that to which we are entitled. Check out the 600+ turbines near Grover, Co to see the impact of such a huge site. It is an eyesore spanning a number of square MILES, and the scenic Pawnee Buttes now offer a 110 degree view of…wind turbines. Everything from reptiles to ungulates to birds have been affected. Migration routes, reproduction, etc.
Amazingly, it is possible to screw up wind power! Any rational part of an energy plan needs to be limiting size of a given site. Another key component that no one wants to hear is PERSONAL CONSUMPTION. We have ONE 100-watt solar panel on our rural land, plus a generator for power-tools, vacuuming, etc. That gets us by. Now, we are an extreme example, but to make the point of the ludicrous energy consumption that is considered “normal”. Truth is, it is mostly unnecessary.
Comment by Michael Mannhalter on 27 January 2009:
The new administration is pointing their finger at coal fired power plants and considering a ‘pollution tax’ which will inevitably trickle down to the consumer.
Alternative forms of energy are a must and will continue to be in demand. It is an American right to be successful and want more for our children that what was afforded to us.
The Colorado and Wyoming areas are excellent locations to provide alternatives via wind and solar, thus creating much needed jobs in our current economic state. The need to be “Green” has been thrust upon our young generation and they have embraced it openly. Let’s support these types of energy for the generations that will follow behind us instead of condemning them as personal irritation.
Comment by Kyleen on 7 June 2009:
First of all this new wind farm is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, it won’t be an eyesore for anyone because no one has a home around there. I live in the closest town to this new farm and I see it as a very positive thing for us. If anything it will bring up my property value because of all the jobs it will bring here.
Comment by cogas on 8 June 2009:
Kyleen, to each his/her own. In order to replace the fossil fueled electrical generation system our nation will need to at least triple the number of wind generators and solar panels. I can pretty well guarantee that somebody is going to see them and not appreciate them like you. In the middle of nowhere is where a lot of oil and gas fields are, so I wonder why so many are offended by the sight of tank batteries and a few drilling rigs? My theory is that they link it to this notion of “Big Oil”. Well, I’m definitely not big, and neither are 99.9% of the people I know in the oil and gas industry. We are very well compensated for the work we do, which apparently differs from those working in the renewables industry; most are paid less than half of what I make and with as good or better education! Where I you, I would hope that someone finds gas in your area to boost your property values!