450-MW Chugwater Wind And Solar Project Gets Unanimous OK From County Planners

A massive wind and solar project spanning 49,500 acres in Platte County got a unanimous green light Wednesday from the Platte County Planning and Zoning Commission. NextEra Energy Resources’ Chugwater Energy Project is expected to generate about 300 megawatts of wind energy, 150 megawatts of solar energy, and include a 150-megawatt battery energy storage system. The project will feature up to 150 wind turbine generators, create up to 300 construction jobs, and support eight to 12 full-time positions for ongoing operations.

Planning commissioners faced a room full of residents at a public hearing that lasted about two hours before voting unanimously to approve moving forward. Their recommendation will go to the Platte County Commission for final approval. “The county has some of the best wind potential anywhere in the nation,” said developer Anthony Bianchini, a senior project manager with NextEra Energy.

Several Chugwater-area ranchers and farmers spoke in favor of the project. Dan Kirkbride, who operates a 102-year-old ranch, said the project would largely increase his family’s annual income and contribute to county coffers at a time of declining property tax revenue. “If the Chugwater community picks up even a few of the workers as permanent residents, that’s good news,” he said. “Every family is important to our little town and school.”

Robert Moxley, a lifelong Chugwater resident, said he helped establish a wind co-op two decades ago, pooling land to offer to developers. “We were hoping to make our farms productive in a climate where agriculture has become impossible,” he said. “I want to see this project go through.” Moxley said his wheat farm “is not worth anything as a wheat farm. It’s got grass growing on it. I want to be able to earn some money off my land.”

Cole Borchardt, who graduated from Chugwater High School in 2004, said he left the area after high school because he saw few opportunities. After working in oil fields and construction, he returned to his family’s ranch. “Wyoming’s not growing much,” he told commissioners. “You either grow or you die. You have to change some if you want to grow some.”

Paul Norfleet, a sheep rancher, said solar panels would be a boon to his sheep, allowing them to graze for several weeks longer than normal because condensation collects on the panels and drips onto the ground. “It seems like a win-win situation,” he said.

Opponents raised concerns. John Burns, who serves on the Chugwater Town Council and owns land within a mile of a proposed power line, said with tears in his eyes, “Nobody wants to live near a power line. That’s a simple fact. If this goes forward as it is, Chugwater’s going to die.” Earl Wright, a landowner living next to proposed solar panels, worried about heat affecting his trees and wildlife, and said increased traffic would worsen his already rough road. “If they put those panels around my house, my property will become basically worthless,” he said.

Eric Jones, representing the town of Chugwater, spoke about preserving the town’s viewshed. Burns added that the proposed transmission line would be visible near town and “will kill Chugwater if it’s in sight of the town. People move here for the bluffs and the access to state land. We need to protect that.” The Platte County Commission will now consider the planning board’s recommendation.