FAQ's
We'd like to address the questions we hear most often in the community.
When will construction begin?
The Pioneer Wind Park projects are currently gearing up to begin engineering and construction of Mormon Canyon Road, which will be used to access the project site. Engineering will begin in August and construction to follow shortly thereafter.
Can I still hunt and recreate in the area?
Yes. Wasatch Wind believes in protecting the right of the landowner to manage their land. Therefore the agreements that we sign with landowners allow the landowner to continue to allow hunting and other recreation on their land if they so choose; it will be the decision of individual landowners, not of Wasatch Wind. Hunting and recreation continue today on wind farms throughout Wyoming and in other states.
Will the Pioneer Wind Park pay taxes?
Yes. The Pioneer Wind Park will pay property taxes each year as well as the $1 per MWh wind energy generation tax established during the 2009/2010 legislative session. Per the laws, 60% of the generation tax will go to counties and 40% to the State of Wyoming. In addition to substantially increasing the local tax receipts, the project will also pay royalties to local residents for the use of their lands and, as a result, provide further local economic benefits.
Will Wasatch Wind use eminent domain?
No. We do not need and we will not use eminent domain at the Park. We will connect to an existing Rocky Mountain Power transmission line via an approximately six mile tie-line. Wasatch Wind will develop this tie-line across private lands already under lease.
Will the Pioneer Wind Park cover lands from Glenrock to Casper Mountain?
No. The Pioneer Wind Park will sit within the area currently under private lease or pending lease with the Office of State Lands, approximately 20 miles Northeast of Casper Mountain.
Will roads and wires be built all over the mountains?
No. One road will be used to access the Park and only small dirt roads may be needed to access each turbine. These roads will be built solely where Wasatch Wind has received landowner permission. Cables that electrically connect each turbine are almost always constructed underground unless prohibited for specific environmental reasons. One new above-ground connection line, approximately six miles long, will be constructed across private lands already under lease for connection to the existing Rocky Mountain Power (230kV line) electricity grid.
Is Wasatch Wind done leasing lands?
Currently Wasatch Wind has leased approximately 27,000 acres of private land and has an application pending with the Office of State Lands and Investments to lease approximately 2,700 acres of State Lands. However, we currently anticipate that the wind energy infrastructure (turbines, roads, etc) will be constructed on the lands we currently have under lease or that are pending in the Office of State Lands and Investments.
When will construction begin?
We anticipate that construction will begin sometime during the summer of 2011. When the construction timeline is created it will be available on this website.
Will I be able to see the wind turbines?
Wasatch Wind currently has not chosen specific locations for the turbines included in the Pioneer Wind Park project. In order to choose turbine locations, Wasatch Wind continues to study the wind; survey wildlife, environmental and cultural resources; work with engineers and construction companies; and gather feedback from the community. Once turbine locations are selected, Wasatch Wind will create visual simulations of the turbines from various vantage points in the area. These visual simulations will be made available on our website and at various community meetings.
Will Pioneer Wind Park go through Wyoming's Industrial Siting Council (ISC) permit process?
Yes. Wasatch Wind has already begun working with Wyoming's Department of Environmental Quality, the Industrial Siting Division, with regards to the Pioneer Wind Park. We believe that the ISC process is a very thorough process that helps ensure industrial projects are developed responsibly in Wyoming.
