Tuesday, DECEMBER 9, 2025 |
Photo – Wind Turbines – Bigfoot99 file photo
A Converse County judge, on Friday, delivered an upset ruling for controversial wind lease that was not intended to connect to the electric grid.
On Friday, December 5th, Wyoming District Court Judge F. Scott Peasley reversed the State Board of Land Commissioners’ decision dated April 3rd to approve a wind energy project slated near Glenrock.
The Pronghorn 2 H2 Project is a large-scale wind and hydrogen initiative spanning 46,000 acres of state and private lands. The project was expected to include up to 45 turbines with a capacity of up to 110 MW, though some sources reference a larger 302.5-megawatt wind project. According to the developer, the wind energy would produce “green hydrogen” that would be synthesized into aviation fuel for Denver International Airport.
The state board of land commissioners, including the Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, and Superintendent of Public Instruction, voted this year to approve the project.
Converse County rancher Mike Stephens, a third-generation rancher, filed a lawsuit against SLIB, challenging both the legality of the lease and the process by which it was approved.
On Friday, State District Court Judge Scott Peasley ruled to strike down the state’s approval of the wind farm lease, effectively halting the project’s progress at that stage.
Secretary of State Gray released a statement on Monday saying that he applauds the court’s decision.
According to the plans for the project, the 14 turbines would have been placed on state lands. The hydrogen plant would have been built on private land. None of the electricity produced by wind power on public lands would have entered the grid.
Public objections to the operation cited impacts to recreation, water resources, wildlife, environmental, viewshed disruption and decreased home values.
Secretary Gray was the only member of the board to vote against approval of the project.
