The implementation of the Laramie Range wind project has acquired a greenlight as the Cheyenne City Council approves its MOU. However, the project has not yet reached final approval but it is a significant progress. The vote allows Mayor Patrick Collins to execute a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding impact assistance funds associated with the Laramie Range Wind Project. The 170-turbine wind project would be located on more than 56,000 acres 20 miles northwest of Cheyenne.

It is spearheaded by ConnectGen Laramie County, an affiliate of project developer Repsol Renewables North America. Initially, the project went before the Laramie County Board of County Commissioners for approval last year. However, commissioners voted 3-1 at a meeting Sept. 16 to deny the project. The decision came after almost four hours of public comment. Wind projects across the U.S have come under heavy fire since the Trump administration took the helm but projects such as the SunZia wind farm project, the nation’s largest, have managed to achieve completion

Outlook on the Laramie Range Wind Project

The Laramie Range wind project makes a turnaround from an earlier denial where the project had received public scrutiny. The reasons for denial included too many unanswered questions and incomplete responses regarding various aspects. These included design, haul routes, the construction process, and impact to surrounding public roads. Due to that denial, ConnectGen affiliates took their project to the state.

They submitted an application in January to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality’s Industrial Siting Council (ISC) for permission to build the project on 41,220 acres of private ranch land and land managed by the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments.

A hearing on that request has been scheduled for Aug. 31. City officials plan to ask for approximately $700,000 to offset construction-related impacts if the project moves forward. However, City Attorney John Brodie acknowledged that the city has not yet finalized the detailed cost tables supporting the estimated $700,000 request. Nonetheless, he said that the calculation follows the same cost-of-service methodology used in previous Industrial Siting Council proceedings.

Project Overview

• Project Value: $1.1B
• Location: Laramie County, Wyoming
• Developer: ConnectGen Laramie County (Repsol Renewables North America)
• Status: MOU approved; state permitting process ongoing

Scope

• 170 wind turbines
• More than 56,000-acre project site
• Located 20 miles northwest of Cheyenne
• Large-scale wind energy development

Project Highlights

• Cheyenne City Council approved MOU
• Mayor authorized to execute agreement
• Project moved to state review after county denial
• Industrial Siting Council hearing set for Aug. 31

Key Developments

• County rejected project in 2025
• Developer submitted state application in January
• City seeking about $700,000 in impact assistance
• Cost estimates still being finalized

Outlook

• Final approval has not yet been granted
• State permitting process continues
• Public scrutiny remains high
• Project outcome depends on Industrial Siting Council decision