Workshops back

“Scenic Considerations and Wind Energy in Wyoming”

Laramie, Wyoming
June 17, 2009

Wind in Wyoming

Wind energy development in Wyoming has accelerated rapidly in recent years.  Of the 775 MW of wind energy currently installed, roughly 525 MW (or 68%) was installed in 2008 or later. 

The increased speed of wind develop­ment has given rise to new concern from Wyomingites. There has been much greater discussion of regulation at the citizen, county, and state level. Governor Dave Freudenthal has expressed excitement over wind energy’s economic potential, but warns about a “gold rush mentality.”

There was a range of support for wind develop­ment in Wyoming at our workshop, with 27% strongly supporting it, and 8% strongly opposing it. The largest group, how­ever, was of cautious supporters. Forty-four percent of participants said they “have reservations, but cau­tiously support” wind development in Wyoming.