Updated by Staff/Original Source

Wyoming’s Lands and Investments Board has drafted proposed rule changes focusing on wind energy development on state lands, and it looks to receive plenty of public input from all the stakeholders during scheduled public hearings. Written public comment is welcome up to March 1st at 5PM, and four hearings will take place across the state in March.

“It’s going to be very important to us that we get the public and all the stakeholders’ input in these hearings. Nothing’s worse than not getting good public participation until the tail end,” Lynne Boomgaarden, director of the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments told the Star-Tribune’s Dustin Bleizeffer.

According to state officials, the key change — a modification of how surface damages are paid - should benefit both wind energy developers and existing state land lessees.

Typically, the state usually leaves it up to the grazing lessee to negotiate surface damage payments from an oil and gas developer, with the payments split between the grazing lessee and the state on a percentage basis, depending on the agreement’s structure and value.

The new rule change proposed gives 100 percent of the surface damage payment from wind development to the grazing lessee. Boomgaarden said this is positive for both parties because the state is already being paid by the wind developer for the installation of facilities. So instead of having to worry about negotiating for the state, the grazing lessee can simply negotiate for impacts to his grazing operations.

“Wind companies told us that in these negotiations, grazing lessees were asking for way too much because they felt if they had to split with the state, they needed a higher amount,” Boomgaarden told Beizeffer.

A notification requirement amounts to another major change. If a wind developer submits a lease application, it would be required to notify existing lessees — such as grazing, oil and gas and recreational lessees — of its intent to develop wind.

If you’re interested in participating in the public comment period and attending one of the hearings, you can view the draft rules HERE. Written comments up until March 1st may be sent to the Office of State Lands and Investments, 122 West 25th Street, Herschler Building, 3rd Floor West, Cheyenne, WY 82002. Any comments received at the public hearing will also be considered.

Public hearing schedule:

– Casper, March 15, 6 to 9 p.m., Oil and Gas Commission Building, 2211 King Blvd, Room 129.

– Green River, March 16, 6 to 9 p.m., WWW Green River Center, #1 College Way, Room 211.

– Rawlins, March 17, 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m., Carbon County Library, 215 West Buffalo Street, Sheller Room.

– Cheyenne, March 18, 6 to 9 p.m., Herschler Building, 122 West 25th Street, Room 1699.