Looking to generate its own solar power and store it in batteries until it’s needed, Powder River Energy Corp. wants to build a solar array in Moorcroft near the rodeo grounds.
Like many rural areas around Wyoming, Crook County doesn’t have a regulatory structure to permit solar and wind projects, so it drafted a new set of rules and has solicited the public’s input on them.
"We're just trying to get ahead of the game. We're already behind on regulations for solar and wind," County Commission Chairman Fred Devish told Cowboy State Daily.
While the focus of large wind and solar development has been in southern and central Wyoming so far, Devish said steady winds in the northwest part of his county might one day attract wind energy.
The county wants to be ready for a public debate like what is unfolding now in Niobrara and Converse Counties.
"I think anywhere you go in Wyoming, it's going to be pretty controversial," Devish said. "It's gotten very controversial down there."
Devish is referring to the Sidewinder and Pronghorn projects that continue to divide folks in and around Lusk and Douglas.
Specific concerns include visual impacts, effects on property values and questions about subsidies for renewable energy. Some residents worry about whether wind turbines and solar installations will impact their view of the landscape.
"It's not exactly like a windmill in Holland,” said Devish. “It's not something you want in your backyard.”
Also concerning to Crook County are the potential impacts large-scale projects could have on county roads and services.
"What we're trying to put together is that the developers of these projects need to pay for those things because our budgets are pretty tight anyway," Devish said.
"It's an expense that hopefully whoever's developing these things will contribute to the economy enough to offset that stuff,” Devish said. “And we're trying to put it in the regs that they need to participate in financing all the extra calls for service that we get from this.”
As for the proposed solar project in Moorcroft, Devish said, "I think that will lessen the price of electricity for the people in the county. And hopefully they'll realize that that's what that's all about.
“If they can keep from buying power at the peak times when it's more expensive, then they can pass that savings on to the citizens. And I think it's a pretty good project."
Solar Proposal
With solar panels feeding power into a bank of batteries, the proposed project in Moorcroft could generate and store power and provide an alternative source of energy that lets Powder River Energy Corp. (PRECorp) avoid purchasing electricity on the open market during peak demand.
"In order for it to become a reality, the county needed to have a structure to permit it. And so that's what they're creating right now," PRECorp spokesperson Tim Velder told Cowboy State Daily.
The utility secured approval for a $23.5 million loan through the USDA's Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program to build the energy storage system and solar facility, according to a recent press release.
The project would include 5 megawatts (MW) of energy storage and nearly 1.2 MW of solar generation by the Moorcroft Line Shop and substation, just off Interstate 90.
Benefits include reducing annual power costs by an estimated $1 million annually by using the 5 MW energy storage system to avoid purchasing power during expensive peak times on the open market, according to the utility.
The storage system would also provide backup power for the Moorcroft area.
The design and construction process is expected to take approximately two years, with the system scheduled to be operational by spring 2027. After completion, the system will provide PRECorp an opportunity to develop working knowledge of energy storage technology.
Draft Regulations
The draft wind and solar regulations up for public comment include notice requirements to landowners within one mile of proposed facilities, along with minimum setback distances from property lines, roads, and residential structures.
Traffic studies and road use agreements could be required to protect county infrastructure, while emergency management plans would be subject to review by local officials.
There are proposed decommissioning bonds and other financial assurances, with fees up to 2.76% of total estimated material costs to cover county service impacts.
The regulations require developers to ensure sales tax revenue stays local, while also potentially mandating payment for increased county services.
These details and more will be topics of discussion and two upcoming public forums.
PRECorp will host a public meeting from 5-7 p.m. July 9 at the Moorcroft Line Shop to discuss its specific solar generation and battery storage project.
"Our goal is to provide an overview of this project, what it is, what it is not, and why we believe Moorcroft is a good fit," said PRECorp Vice President of Member Service Joe Roth in a prepared statement. "Our design team and others will also be available for one-on-one conversations about this technology and will be available to address questions and concerns from our members."
Then on Aug. 4, the Crook County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposed “Amended Wind and Solar Energy Facility Regulations” on at 2:30 p.m.
Devish acknowledged that renewable energy projects face skepticism among some county residents, though opinions vary widely.
"So, a lot of people in the county do not like wind or solar," he said. "Most of it is, they don't want it purely because they don't want it."
For the PRECorp project specifically, "the ones that are close by" in Moorcroft have expressed more concern than those living farther away, said Devish.
He advised county residents, “Ask the questions, look into it. Don't believe everything you hear. Get to the facts and you'll be able to talk about it.”
The regulatory framework represents Crook County's attempt to balance potential economic benefits from energy development with community concerns and fiscal responsibility, ensuring any future projects contribute fairly to county coffers rather than imposing costs on existing taxpayers.
David Madison can be reached at david@cowboystatedaily.com.
