Earlier this month the Converse County Commissioners approved a permit for two wind farms on a four to one vote. Now the real actions starts, as both the developer and opponents gear up for rebuttal statements and final arguments for and against the development proposed for south of Glenrock.

Posted by Ann Rascalli

Three days of testimony wrapped up this week in Douglas before the Wyoming Industrial Siting Council, a seven-member group that examines what it describes as the “environmental and socio-economic impacts” of industrial facilities. Any wind energy project with 30 or more towers requires a permit from the WISC.

The council, which functions in conjunction with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, will hear the final arguments and deliberate over  its decision on June 13.

Wasatch Wind Inc. of Park City, Utah is the developer behind the two 31-turbine wind farms adjacent to Mormon Canyon Road south of Glenrock. The wind farms are called Pioneer I and II, and each will generate 100 megawatts of electricity, and cost between $180 million to $200 million, according to the company.

A group of landowners and others opposed the siting of wind farms and high-power transmission lines in the area, provided the opposition at this week’s hearings but the Northern Laramie Range Alliance said they would wait until final arguments and closing statements to make their’s.

Pending approval of the permits, Wasatch will complete the first wind farm this year, with the second scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012.