A proposed 450-megawatt wind and solar project spanning more than 53,000 acres in Goshen and Platte counties in eastern Wyoming is meeting resistance from locals skeptical about renewable energy developments.
The Chugwater Energy Project, developed by Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources, would install up to 107 wind turbines, solar panels and battery storage systems on about 47,000 acres in Platte County and 6,100 acres in Goshen County.
NextEra Energy is a Fortune 200 company that operates a 38-gigawatt wind, solar and storage portfolio across 49 states and four Canadian provinces, according to the company's 2024 Sustainability Report.
The company reported about $28 billion in operating revenues in 2023 and has invested $134 billion in infrastructure capital deployment since 2013. NextEra has announced a goal to achieve carbon-free operations by no later than 2045, with interim targets including an 82% reduction by 2030.
To move forward with its Chugwater project, NextEra needs to submit a permit application to the Wyoming Industrial Siting Council (ISC), which will then hold a permit hearing within 90 days.
“At this time, the Chugwater Energy Center has not submitted an ISC permit application,” Jenny Staeben, an ISC administrator, told Cowboy State Daily. “The ISC expects to receive a permit application for the Chugwater Energy Center towards the end of August.
“A permit hearing is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 20-21, 2025, in Chugwater.”
Without an application in hand, the ISC’s exact timeline for considering NextEra’s Chugwater proposal is up in the air and open to debate.
View From Torrington
The Chugwater Energy Project is expected to generate more than $250 million in additional revenue for landowners over the project's life and about $150 million in tax revenue for local governments, according to NextEra.
The construction phase will create up to 300 jobs, with eight to 12 full-time positions for ongoing operations.
Torrington, which lost its major private employer when the sugar plant closed in 2017, could use the jobs.
Even so, Mayor Herb Doby said his community is wary of promises made by energy development companies.
“It does bring jobs, and it heats up the economy in a good way and all that,” said Doby. “But I think the thought is around here that that's just not our future.
"I'm 71 years old, and all I've ever heard was we're rich in coal and oil and natural gas and minerals. What we need to do is add value to that," Doby added. "And I can't think of a better way to add value to what we're rich in than turning it into electricity."
Instead of solar arrays and wind turbines, the mayor would prefer seeing a new gas or coal-fired power plant.
“What they call a mini coal plant, mini coal-fired or a mini natural gas-fired power plant right here in Goshen County. That's what I'd like to see," Doby said.
Open House
NextEra held a public open house last week at Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington. State Rep. Scott Smith, R-Lingle, was there, and said he was disappointed.
"They didn't give any presentation,” Smith told Cowboy State Daily. “They just had,like, seven maps and boards and maybe a few different bullet points on each one saying how this is the greatest thing since sliced bread.”
Smith said he asked numerous questions but received few answers from the NextEra representatives.
"Those constituents that have talked to me even at the open house the other week were not happy," Smith said. "And I will just say I stand with the people on all of that.
"My biggest issue is NextEra does not seem to be a good neighbor when they move into places.”
He also mentioned a multimillion-dollar federal fine he said was related to eagle deaths at wind facilities.
NextEra Energy Resources, through a media spokesperson, declined multiple interview requests from Cowboy State Daily.
Permitting Process
The Chugwater project requires approvals from Platte and Goshen counties, plus the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality’s ISD.
The project would generate about 300 megawatts of wind energy, 150 megawatts of solar energy and include a 150-megawatt battery storage system.
The project aspires to be operational in 2027, according to NextEra's website.
Mayor Doby expressed skepticism about whether the project would materialize, noting that a previous solar project approved in November 2023 near Yoder has shown no signs of construction.
"At this point, you know, with wind and solar, I’lI believe it when I see it around here," Doby said.
Smith said he fears the project could damage the county's agricultural economy.
"When you take over all of our ag lands for this kind of stuff, you're really hurting our economy overall," Smith said.
He also warned about potential negative impacts from construction crews.
"The problem is, bringing in these contractors, you have a small community with a small police force,” Smith said. “It brings in drugs and other crimes. And then in addition to having all this heavy equipment, they tear up our roads and they leave our roads in complete disrepair."
David Madison can be reached at david@cowboystatedaily.com.
