Jeremy Fugleberg, October 4, 2012 (Casper Star-Tribune)
“Carbon County officials have [unanimously] approved a…conditional use permit for the [1,000-turbine] Chokecherry and Sierra Madre wind energy project, which would be the largest wind farm in the country…The 2,000-3,000-megawatt project’s developer, Power Co. Of Wyoming, must now bring the massive wind farm before the Industrial Siting Council, a state board that reviews large industrial projects [and that permit will be filed for in November]…Construction on the project [is expected to begin] in 2013… “…The project already has all necessary federal permits in hand…[There was opposition from those concerned] the project would harm wildlife and hinder the views across the county’s vistas…[that was answered by the company’s] work to study birds in the project area and its willingness to answer any questions thrown its way…things sometimes not shown by other wind project developers…”
click to enlarge“…[Two commissioners] said they’re not overly happy about wind turbines dotting the horizon and they’re ideologically opposed to wind energy. But neither could turn down a project that met the rules for approval and will bring jobs and money to the county…[One] described renewable energy projects such as wind farms as an unstoppable federal government-driven freight train barreling down the tracks…[He said commissioners could] either get run over, or put your hand on the switch to direct the train… “Power Co. of Wyoming representatives say the county would get between $445 million and $562 million through various taxes over the 20-year life of the project…The project would also require 300 to 400 employees during the first two year’s of construction, 1,000 to 1,200 jobs over the following three years and 114 long-term jobs…”
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