WIND CITY, WYOMING

$750 million wind farm proposed for area
Josh Mitchell, December 10, 2011 (Wyoming Tribune Eagle)

"The city of Cheyenne stands to make more than $100 million [from leasing land and property taxes] and possibly draw a wind blade manufacturing facility…The Morley Company of Jackson Hole [with strong financial backing from a Dutch bank] is proposing building a 300-megawatt, $750 million wind farm composed of 120 towers on the west end of the city-owned Belvoir Ranch, which is six miles west of the city…

"The project would only consume a small portion of the 17,000 acres that the city owns at the Belvoir Ranch…[T]he city of Cheyenne only stands to gain from the plan…[It] won't be required to invest any money in the project…[but] could make between $72 million and $130 million by leasing the land to the company over 30 years…[though] it could be several years before the wind farm is actually developed…[if] Congress [is slow to] renew the federal tax credit for wind farms when it expires in a year…[Morley hopes] construction of the wind farm [can] start in three years."

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"The development of transmission lines in Wyoming to transmit the wind energy to market also could contribute to the timing…[S]ix transmission line projects [are] being developed in Wyoming…[by the] Wyoming Infrastructure Authority…Wyoming stands to make money by selling its wind energy to California, which is under governmental mandates to use increasing amounts of renewable energy…

"A new wind farm in the area also would increase the likelihood of drawing a manufacturing center…to build parts for the industry…[T]hree international companies are interested…[especially because there is] railroad access for shipping…A wind turbine manufacturer would be an estimated $500 million investment… and bring about 250 jobs…Prior to developing a wind farm at the Belvoir Ranch, there would have to be studies to ensure that wildlife and artifacts would not be harmed. This could take more than a year…Laramie County resident Paul Edner…said wind towers diminish the skyline."