DATA SERIES 683

PLATE 5 0F 5

Project Name Ownership Status Location Generating Capacity Land Use Maps and Photographics Graphic Captions Economics

Chokecherry and 

Sierra Madre Wind 

Energy Project

Thumbnail graphic showing the location of the 

Chokecherry and Sierra Madre proposed wind energy 

project (see plate 1).

The wind project spans a 

combination of private lands 

owned by the Overland Trail 

Cattle Company LLC and 

Federal lands managed by the 

BLM, and is located entirely in 

Carbon County, Wyoming 

(©Power Company of 

Wyoming, 2010).

An Environmental Impact Statement is 

being prepared by BLM, in 

compliance with NEPA. A Record of 

Decision by the BLM is expected in 

late 2012. Construction is anticipated 

to begin in 2013 (Kara Choquette, 

2012, written communication, 

©Power Company of Wyoming).

The Overland Trail Cattle Company Ranch 

in Carbon County, Wyoming, south of 

Rawlins (Kara Choquette, 2012, written 

communication, ©Power Company of 

Wyoming). 

This project will have 1,000 wind turbines with a combined 

nameplate capacity between 2,000 and 3,000 MW. Turbines 

will be located in Class 5 to Class 7 winds due to the site’s 

extremely high wind resource. Only 2 percent of the land area 

in the continental U.S. has average annual wind speeds above 

8.5 meters/second at 80 meters above ground, according to 

AWS Truewind. Of that amount, 25 percent of such high wind 

areas are in Wyoming, with 5 percent in Carbon County (Kara 

Choquette, 2012, written communication, ©Power Company of 

Wyoming).

The proposed project will 

permanently use less than 1,600 acres 

of the 320,000 acre host ranch 

(roughly 0.5%; U.S. BLM, 2011). (U.S. BLM, 2009a)

Visual simulations, such as the photograph to the 

left, are available along with scoping documents, 

and interior and perimeter video simulations, at 

the Wyoming BLM Rawlins Field Office web 

site, 

http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/rfodocs/

Chokecherry.html

This project could create thousands of construction jobs and an 

estimated 114 permanent operations and maintenance jobs. 

Financial benefits could include millions of dollars in property 

taxes and sales and use taxes (©Power Company of Wyoming, 

2010).

Dunlap I 

(©PacifiCorp, 

2010)

Thumbnail graphic showing the location of the Dunlap 

wind farm renewable energy facility, east of the Hanna 

Basin (see plate 1).

PacifiCorp. Construction of 

the Dunlap I wind project was 

carried out by RES Americas 

(©Wind Power, 2010).

PacifiCorp’s Dunlap I wind project 

began producing renewable energy for 

customers in six states on October 1, 

2010. Operating as Rocky Mountain 

Power in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho, 

and as Pacific Power in Oregon, 

Washington and northern California, 

the company serves 1.7 million 

electric customers (©Rocky Mountain 

Power, 2010).

North of the town of Medicine Bow, in 

Carbon County (©PacifiCorp, 2010).

Its 74, 1.5-MW turbines have a total generating capacity of 111 

MW of electricity. To put this into perspective, the annual 

energy production of the wind farm is expected to equal the 

amount required to serve about 32,000 typical households per 

year (©PacifiCorp, 2010). A second phase of the Dunlap wind 

project of up to 126 additional wind turbines was approved 

through the Wyoming Industrial Siting Council permitting 

process (Jeff Hymas, 2012, written communication, 

©PacifiCorp).

Dunlap Wind Energy Project (used with 

permission from ©Rocky Mountain Power, 2012)

In 2011, Wyoming's sales tax exemption for commercial wind 

energy equipment is set to expire. In 2012 a new wind energy 

generation tax of $1 per MW hour begins. Also, the economic 

downturn has triggered an in-state energy generation 

preference for states like California, which may restrict the 

amount of out-of-state renewable energy that California 

utilities could buy. Actions like these would stall plans for 

power transmission line projects from Wyoming to other 

western States (©Bleizeffer, 2010).

Foote Creek I 

(©PacifiCorp, 

2010)

Thumbnail graphic showing the location of the Foote 

Creek Rim Wind Farm, southeast of the Hanna Basin 

(see plate 1).

The wind project is jointly 

owned by the Eugene Water & 

Electric Board and PacifiCorp 

(©PacifiCorp, 2010)

Wyoming's first commercial facility to 

generate electricity from wind, the 

Foote Creek Rim wind project is 

located near Arlington, Wyoming, 

where it began commercial operation 

on Earth Day, April 22, 1999. The 

project is partially located on public 

lands managed by the BLM Rawlins 

Field Office (US BLM, 2008b). Carbon County (©PacifiCorp, 2010)

Since development of the original 69-turbine project, several 

subsequent phases have been constructed (Foote Creek II-IV 

and Rock River I). The project now totals 183 turbines with a 

generating capacity of 134.7 MW (U.S. BLM, 2008b).

Because the facility only occupies 

about one percent of the land it is 

housed upon, the land is also 

available for other uses, such as 

grazing livestock (©PacifiCorp, 

2010).

Foote Creek I wind farm (used with permission 

from Jeff Hymas, 2012, ©PacifiCorp)

This facility is estimated to contribute over $9 million in 

property taxes, nearly $4 million in sales taxes and over $5 

million in royalty payments to landowners over its 20-year life 

span (Nielsen and others, 2002).

High Plains 

(©PacifiCorp, 

2010)

Thumbnail graphic of the High Plains Wind Farm on the 

Albany/Carbon County border. ©PacifiCorp

In service September 2009 

(©PacifiCorp, 2010)

Near the town of McFadden, High Plains is 

located on both sides of the border between 

Albany and Carbon Counties (©PacifiCorp, 

2010).

High Plains wind farm is composed of 66 1.5-MW turbines; 99-

MW project (©PacifiCorp, 2010)

High Plains wind project (used with permission 

from Jeff Hymas, 2012, ©PacifiCorp)

Wind turbines supply customers with alternative renewable 

energy. By their nature, wind projects are commonly built in 

more remote areas, where they can diversify predominantly 

agricultural economies, and help the environment with their 

absence of carbon emissions (©PacifiCorp, 2011).

McFadden Ridge 

(©PacifiCorp, 

2010)

Thumbnail graphic of Mcfadden Ridge wind project 

adjacent to High Plains (see plate 1). ©PacifiCorp

In service September 2009 

(©PacifiCorp, 2010)

Adjacent to the High Plains project in 

Albany and Carbon Counties, McFadden 

Ridge is near the town of McFadden, 

Wyoming (©PacifiCorp, 2010)

McFadden Ridge wind farm consists of 19, 1.5-MW turbines; a 

28.5-MW project (©PacifiCorp, 2010). Originally, McFadden 

Ridge was proposed to be constructed in 2010, with a 

generating capability of up to 88.5 MW. Subsequently, Rocky 

Mountain Power modified its schedule to allow the project to 

be constructed in phases. Phase I was completed in 2009, with 

timing for additional turbines yet to be determined 

(©Renewable Energy World.com, 2009).

McFadden Ridge I wind project (used with 

permission from Jeff Hymas, 2012, ©PacifiCorp)

Medicine Bow 

Wind Project

Thumbnail graphic of Medicine Bow wind project (see 

plate 1).

©Platte River Power Authority 

(2011)

The first commercial Clipper wind 

turbine, Liberty I, was installed in 

Wyoming's high-wind environment in 

early 2005 (©Clipper Windpower, 

2008). Town of Medicine Bow

Platte River's Liberty Turbine size is 2.5 MW (©Clipper 

Windpower, 2008). Platte River's additional turbines each 

generate 600 kW to 660 kW of energy (Platte River Power 

Authority, 2010). Yearly estimated production : 14 GW/h (for 

an equivalent of 2500 hours of full load / year); from ©The 

Windpower (2010).

The first set of turbines, next to the water 

treatment plant, March 2010 (©Town of Medicine 

Bow Wind Project, 2010)

The wind energy is used to supply power for town buildings, 

and to defray the cost of electricity for town operations 

(©Town of Medicine Bow, Wyoming, 2010)

Mountain Wind 

Power 

(©PacifiCorp, 

2010)

The project came online in July 2008 

(©PacifiCorp, 2010)

Bridger Butte and Bridger Valley, Uinta 

County (©PacifiCorp, 2010)

29, 2.1-MW turbines; a 60.9-MW wind farm (©PacifiCorp, 

2010). Yearly estimated production : 152 GW/h (for an 

equivalent of 2500 hours of full load / year); from ©The 

Windpower (2010).

Mountain Wind 

Power II 

(©PacifiCorp, 

2010)

The project began operation in 

September 2008 (©PacifiCorp, 2010) Uinta County 38, 2.1-MW turbines; 79.8-MW project (©PacifiCorp, 2010)

Rock River 

Windpark

Thumbnail graphic of Rock River wind project (see plate 

1).

Co-owned by Shell and 

Goldman Sachs (written 

commun., Alan Forster, 2012, 

©Shell). Under power purchase 

agreement, PacifiCorp will 

purchase 100 percent of the 

facility’s energy output 

(©PacifiCorp, 2010).

In service since 2001 (©PacifiCorp, 

2010)

Carbon County, near the town of Arlington 

(©PacifiCorp, 2010)

50 1-MW turbines; the windpark has a generating capability of 

50 MW (©PacifiCorp, 2010). Yearly estimated production : 

125 GW.h (for an equivalent of 2500 hours of full load / year); 

from ©The Windpower (2010).

Rock River Windpark (co-owned by Shell and 

Goldman Sachs; used with permission from Alan 

Forster, 2012, ©Shell)

Seven Mile Hill 

(©PacifiCorp, 

2010) Carbon County (©PacifiCorp, 2010) 66, 1.5-MW turbines; a 99-MW project (©PacifiCorp, 2010)

Seven Mile Hill II 

(©PacifiCorp, 

2010)

Adjacent to the Seven Mile Hill I project 

(©PacifiCorp, 2010) 13, 1.5-MW turbines; a 19.5-MW project (©PacifiCorp, 2010)

Simpson Ridge 

Wind Farm Project

Thumbnail graphic showing the Simpson Ridge Wind 

Farm location (see plate 1).

Horizon Wind Energy (U.S. 

Chamber of Commerce, 2011). 

Suspended. The presence of the 

endangered sage grouse on the project 

site has put the wind farm in jeopardy 

(U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2011). Carbon County

The Carbon County Planning Commission approved 

development plans for Horizon Wind Energy’s 154-turbine 

project in 2009, and construction of the wind farm was 

expected to begin either in 2010 or 2011. However, the 

presence of the endangered sage grouse on the project site has 

put the wind farm in jeopardy (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 

2011). 

In August 2009, Horizon announced that it would suspend the 

project indefinitely, citing ongoing regulatory uncertainty about 

sage grouse protections, particularly the question of whether 

proper mitigation plans can be developed that allow for wind 

turbines to be built in sage grouse core areas (U.S. Chamber of 

Commerce, 2011).

Wyoming Wind 

Energy Center

Thumbnail graphic showing the Wyoming Wind Energy 

Center (see plate 1).

NextEra Energy Resources 

(©NextEra Energy, 2010)

Wyoming's largest wind facility began 

commercial operation in 2003 

(©NextEra Energy, 2010) Uinta County

A 144-MW wind generation plant; 80 1.8-MW Vestas turbines 

that are capable of generating enough electricity to power more 

than 43,000 homes (©NextEra Energy, 2010). Yearly estimated 

production : 360 GW.h (for an equivalent of 2500 hours of full 

load / year); from ©The Windpower (2010).

The wind energy facility is on ranch 

land currently used for cattle grazing. 

Directly adjacent to the wind turbine 

foundation pads, agricultural 

activities take place (©Iberdrola 

Renewables, 2010).

Wyoming Wind Energy Center (used with 

permission from ©NextEra, 2010)

Although most of Wyoming’s wind power facilities are in the 

southeastern part of the state, its largest wind facility is situated 

in the southwest corner of the state. Wyoming has become a 

substantial producer of wind energy and exports electricity to 

neighboring states (US EIA, 2010). 

White Mountain 

Wind Energy 

Project

Thumbnail graphic showing White Mountain (the 

location of a proposed wind project).

Teton Wind, LLC (U.S. BLM, 

2010b)

Proposed - Environmental Assessment 

prepared.

The project site is located west-northwest 

of the city of Rock Springs, on top of White 

Mountain, which is in Sweetwater County, 

in portions of T19N-T20N, R105W-106W 

(U.S. BLM, 2010b).

Approval of the proposed action could result in construction of 

up to 240 wind turbine generators with an anticipated total 

generating capacity of up to 360 MW (U.S. BLM, 2010b).

"The project area encompasses 

approximately 13,165 acres, including 

4,398 BLM-administered acres. The 

initial disturbance would be 866 

acres, and areas not required for 

operations will be reclaimed after 

construction, resulting in 189 acres of 

life-of-project disturbance" (U.S. 

BLM, 2010a).

Map showing White Mountain Wind Energy 

Project Area and areas of environmental conflict 

(in gold and pink). Minimal environmental 

conflict shown in green (U.S. BLM, 2010b).

Socioeconomics identified by the BLM include: employment, 

taxation, state and national energy needs, effects on the 

communities at large, property values, traffic and transportation 

requirements, vandalism, existing abuse of the local area 

environment vs. a well-managed project, recognizing 

landowners’ desire to develop their lands, balancing 

socioeconomics with environmental concerns (U.S. BLM, 

2010b).

Began operations in December 2008 

(©PacifiCorp, 2010)

Thumbnail graphic showing the Seven Mile Hill wind 

projects (see plate 1).

Compiled by

Laura R.H. Biewick

2012

This and other USGS information products are available at: 

http://store.usgs.gov/ 

U.S. Geological Survey

Box 25286, Denver Federal Center

Denver, CO 80225

To learn about the USGS and its information products visit: 

http://www.usgs.gov/ 

1-888-ASK-USGS

This report is available at:

http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/683/

Publishing support provided by: 

Denver Publishing Service Center

Manuscript approved for publication on 03/30/2012

For more information concerning this publication, contact:

Center Director, USGS Central Energy Resources Science Center

Box 25046, Mail Stop 939

Denver, CO 80225

(303) 236-1647

Or visit the Central Energy Resources Team site at:

http://energy.cr.usgs.gov/

Wind Farms in Southwestern Wyoming Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. 

Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of 

the data on any other system, or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of 

distribution constitute any such warranty. The U.S. Geological survey shall not be held liable 

for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. Any use of trade, 

product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the 

U.S. Government. Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public 

domain, it may also contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to 

reproduce copyrighted items for other than personal use must be secured from the copyright 

owner.

Seven Mile Hill wind project (used with 

permission from Jeff Hymas, 2012, ©PacifiCorp)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Edison Mission Energy. 

PacifiCorp is purchasing 100 

percent of the facility’s output 

(©PacifiCorp, 2010)

Thumbnail graphic of the Mountain Wind projects (see 

plate 1).

PacifiCorp (©PacifiCorp, 

2010)