56,000-Acre Wind Farm Project Denied By Laramie County Commissioners

CHEYENNE — The Laramie County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday denied a controversial wind energy development proposal three times the size of Cheyenne after getting an earful from dozens of county residents opposed to the project.

The Laramie Range Wind Project, backed by Spanish energy giant Repsol, had a long line of people speaking out against the project, claiming the up to 170 wind turbines could disturb local wildlife and become an eyesore.

After a more than four-hour hearing, the commission voted the project down in a 3-1 vote.

Commissioner Linda Heath said she was touched by the beautiful landscape in the Horse Creek-area of the proposed wind farm and feels strongly about cherishing Wyoming’s untouched landscapes.

“Once we lose it, we can never get it back,” she said. 

Acting Chairman Troy Thompson was the only yes vote, siding with the landowners who are invested in the project, and argued it was unfair to hold Repsol to such a high standard only to let the company down.

He added too many Wyomingites are opposed to the project only because of the proximity and that it’s unfair to deny the proposal after the company had followed all the county’s rules.

“I’m disappointed in this commission,” he said.

Repsol Responds

With commission Chairman Gunnar Malm absent, four county commissioners sat through the public hearing.

Repsol project lead Charlie Banke, who also spoke at last week’s planning commission hearing, opened by presenting the commissioners with copies of a Repsol slideshow.

He again requested the commissioners approve the project and touted the company’s responsible approach to other energy developments throughout the U.S.

The project, Banke said, would have a minimal impact on surrounding land throughout the construction period, which he added would allow nearby landowners to continue using their land in the way they see fit.

Banke said Repsol has engaged with local landowners and federal authorities to ensure construction proceeds as planned in 2027.

He also touted a potential $1.1 billion investment from Repsol in the community and a potential $190 million in tax reduction for locals. The county can also expect a possible $32 million in additional sales tax revenue and a surge in local employment from construction jobs at the turbine field, he said.

Banke addressed community concerns from last week’s planning commission meeting, which he categorized as being primarily about visual, traffic and environmental impacts. He said Repsol had studied each of these concerns to ensure minimal impact on locals. 

“I want to emphasize safety is paramount in all of our planning efforts,” he said. 

Also speaking was Allison Poe, director of environmental affairs and permitting for the company, who assured commissioners Repsol continues to consider the impact on local wildlife, such as sage grouse.

Poe cited several wildlife guidelines from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, which she said Repsol is cooperating with to ensure project approval.

One such adjustment would be to reduce the speed of turbines when bats are most active to avoid accidental collisions, she said.

Repsol is also using camera technology to detect eagles flying near the turbines, Poe said. A turbine that detects an eagle nearby, she said, would shut down until the eagle leaves the area.

Repsol relocated nine proposed turbines away from mule deer and antelope habitat so as not to impact their migration patterns, Poe said.

“Since 2019 we have been performing significant due diligence and studies,” she said. “The project avoids and minimizes adverse impacts on the environment.”

“We are pleased with the robust consultation that has taken place to date and ensure you it has been implemented into the citing plan before you,” she added. “We have gone to great lengths — more than reasonable efforts — to avoid adverse impacts.”

The Repsol representatives acknowledged last week’s decision to postpone the planning commission’s symbolic vote on the project to allow more time for the state Industrial Siting Council to weigh in. 

They urged the commissioners to issue their vote as scheduled and argued further delay would be “unnecessary.”

Commissioner Ty Zwonitzer then drilled Banke on what repercussions Repsol would experience if its commitments to Laramie County were violated.

Banke argued Repsol is “financially obligated” to keep those promises, adding that Repsol is already considering adding aircraft detection lights to its turbines.

Thompson then agreed the committee would deliver a decision Tuesday, but would request a legal analysis of the promises made by Repsol.

Public Comments

Guy Don Carlos, a landowner in the Horse Creek area, began by calling on the commissioners to remove a slideshow slide showing images of turbines to maintain “some semblance of impartiality” by the commission. Thompson agreed to do so and the slide was removed.

Don Carlos also said that the Laramie County Fire Department is not properly equipped to fight a potential turbine fire. He questioned where the required water would come from to fight such a blaze or to fuel concrete construction at the turbines.

“This thing is just about due west of my residence,” he said. “Our houses will go up in flames. Every resident of this county needs to be concerned about water."

Don Carlos also questioned how eagle spotting technology would stop a 250-foot blade when they spin at a rate of about 200 mph. Stopping the blade, he argued, would take too long to avoid striking an eagle.

Those in attendance applauded at the end of his comments.

Jackson Stewart, in-house lawyer for True Ranches, said he represented several ranchers who would see the turbines coming to their land. He argued the supplemental income provided by the turbines would help ranchers navigate difficulties in agriculture prices and unpredictable weather.

Stewart suggested Wyomingites will be listened to by Repsol throughout the lifespan of the project.

“True Ranches would not support a project that threatens the integrity of the lands we depend on,” he said.

Cheyenne Realtor Wendy Volk presented the commissioners with maps that she claimed more accurately depict Repsol’s proposed project area. She argued the company has not been faithful in representing the location of its turbines relative to her family’s ranch.

“It’s impossible,” she said, while showing an image of Repsol’s map. “I think if you have $1.1 billion to invest in this community, you could give a map that would show landowners how their ranches will be affected.”

Volk also said Repsol appears to be purposely withholding specific numbers regarding the economic and environmental impacts of its project. She called on the company to “show us the numbers.”

“I keep thinking, ‘Why didn’t we hear about this?’” she asked. “I don’t think the company has done a good enough job to reach out to us, the citizens to establish a proposed relationship.”

Postponement Push

Several others requested commissioners postpone the vote to allow time to learn more from Repsol and the Industrial Siting Council, despite Thompson having already said they would deliver a decision.

State Rep. Gary Brown, R- Cheyenne, said his constituents have asked him to push back against the development. He argued government subsidies for Repsol represented unfair “corporate welfare.”

“I believe highly in personal property rights,” he said. “But when your personal property, your right, affects somebody else’s property adversely, it’s alright for those people to stand up and say, ‘No, we don’t want this.’"

The representative also called on the commissioners to postpone their vote. Thompson observed Brown has influence with the Industrial Siting Council and asked him to approach the problem through the Legislature.

Brown later returned to the podium to accuse Repsol of lacking required wildlife permits. Thompson responded, saying those issues would be addressed by a different committee.

State Sen. Lynn Hutchings, R- Cheyenne, said the development fell within her district and asked the commissioners to postpone their vote, noting that private property rights do not apply to Wyoming’s skies.

“You’re affecting hundreds of families’ viewsheds and well-beings,” she said.

Commission Decision

After hearing all public comments, the commissioners held a discussion where they agreed to introduce some amendments to the plan. Those included road use agreements, aircraft lighting for wind turbines, eagle detection, a 2,000-gallon fire truck to the county, and requiring all water use through state engineer’s office.

That vote failed due to a 2-2 tie. The commissioners then went immediately to the deciding vote and denied the Laramie Wind Range project.

Commissioners Zwonitzer and Don Hollingshead each agreed the risks outweighed the potential benefits. Hollingshead said he was reminded of the Dr. Seuss book The Lorax in hearing the debate, adding “once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

Jackson Walker can be reached at walker@cowboystatedaily.com.