Wind Regulations Reviewed, Revised

CHEYENNE – It is a clash between two types of rural residents: Those who want to make money from the wind and those who are there for peace and quiet.

At least that is what has emerged as Laramie County crafts rules for building and operating wind turbines.

Several ranchers are interested in leasing their land to those who would like to turn Wyoming breezes into electricity. They’re in favor of a 1,000-foot buffer zone around homes, county planner Gary Kranse said.

But those who dwell in the smaller acreages – ranchettes – are worried what the towering, clanging turbines will do to the way of life that lured them there: the peace, the quiet, the views.

They’re asking for a buffer zone that’s more than five times the distance – one mile.

In the end, the Laramie County Commissioners will decide what the buffer will be.

The county is creating rules to monitor the installation, operation and abandonment of wind energy systems. The idea is to keep the development of wind energy orderly and safe.

The first public comment period has ended. Kranse said many people took the time to write their thoughts about the proposed regulations, which are based on ones that Platte County recently passed.

February will be spent reviewing the comments. In March, the county will release a second draft and open up another round of public comment.

To start with, there is the disagreement about what the buffer zone ought to be.

Monday, Kranse unrolled a map on the table for the Laramie County Commissioners.

See RULES, page A5

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There were colored blobs throughout, yellow centers that gave way to orange and then to red.

They showed three possible turbine-free zones – "pockets of protection" for homeowners – that would grow from every county subdivision: 1,000 feet, a half-mile and a mile.

There will be more turbine-free zones to come, Kranse said. The Cheyenne Regional Airport says windmills definitely will impact flight paths.

The commissioners stared. Governing by map.

Commissioner Jeff Ketcham suggested they measure off 1,000 feet from an existing turbine. They then could use a noise meter to see just how loud it can get.

They would do the same for the half-mile and mile distances.

In the end, it will be one of those tough issues, Ketcham said.

"No one’s going to get what they want."

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