Vol. 29, No. 5 #7 (October 2006). Wyoming Wind.

• Author: By Douglas J. Moench

Wyoming Bar Journal

2006.

Vol. 29, No. 5 #7 (October 2006).

Wyoming Wind

WYOMING LAWYEROctober 2006/Vol. 29, No. 5Wyoming WindBy Douglas J. Moench

Wind. The very word is almost synonymous with "Wyoming." In a state with a mean elevation of 6,700 feet(fn1) and geology unique in the world, Wyoming has always been a place where the wind blows free and strong. Most view the wind in Wyoming as relentless and never ceasing. It is a primary force in the shaping of the many geologic features of the state and, some would argue, helps shape the spirit of the Wyoming resident with the same strong and relentless force. In these opening years of the twenty-first century, however, Wyoming's geology and unique wind-blown characteristics are becoming an increasingly important aspect of Wyoming's status as energy producer to the country. As an energy source, wind is taking a place along side coal and natural gas as part of the state's resource mix that is the driving force behind Wyoming's thriving economy. While small in comparison to coal and natural gas in the world of power generation, energy produced from wind turbines is the new kid on the block. Installed capacity has grown fivefold since the early eighties. "Today, the wind energy industry is installing more wind power in a single year (3,000 MW expected in 2006) than the amount operating in the entire country in 2000 (2,500 MW)"(fn2).

Wyoming's wind resource is viewed as one which is destined to grow as developers and wholesale and retail utility providers seek not only more energy for their residential, commercial and industrial customers, but also to comply with the mandate for "clean" energy which, in other states, has now become a part of some state and municipal codes.

The American Wind Energy Association, based upon a study done by Pacific Northwest Laboratories in 1991, estimates that the potential wind energy in the State of Wyoming is as high as 85,000 megawatts (MW) of power. Considering the estimate that Wyoming's original commercial wind plant, the Foote Creek Rim facility, in Carbon County, produced 85 megawatts of energy, or enough power for 27,000 average homes, the potential for wind produced energy is huge.(fn3) Clearly, the coal industry's supply of coal to coal fired plants throughout the country provides a larger number of homes with power. The coal industry and the revenues generated for Wyoming are extremely important to Wyoming, now and in the future. And coal's significance in the generation of power may become increasingly important as technological advances to create "clean coal" move forward. Plants utilizing the integrated gasification combined cycle process may pay huge dividends to the state, both...