Monday, OCTOBER 6, 2025 |
Photo – Wind Turbines – Bigfoot99 file photo
State officials debated the prudence of renewing wind energy leases in Carbon County.
As part of the State Office of State Lands and Investments, the Wyoming State Board of Land Commissioners oversees state trust land. The Board’s duty is to ensure these lands generate revenue for public schools through grazing, mineral development, and renewable energy leases.
At the October 2nd meeting of the State Board of Land Commissioners, officials considered renewing two PacifiCorp wind energy leases in Carbon County. Both wind farms were built in the year 2000 under 25-year leases from the state. The Board of Land Commissioners was being asked to extend each lease by an additional 50 years.
Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments Lands Management Program Supervisor Cody Booth began by describing the first wind energy lease up for renewal. Booth said the project spans more than 13,000 acres of the Hi-Allen Ranch, 640 of which are located on state trust land, roughly 22 miles northwest of Arlington.
The wind farm has a maximum output of 147 megawatts. Over the past 25 years, Booth said the lease has generated $300,000 for the state. The Lands Management Program Supervisor admitted that the amount was lower than expected and said the new lease will ensure the state receives more money from the project.
Booth explained that the original lease required PacifiCorp to pay the state $1,000 per megawatt hour per year and $2.25 for each acre of state trust lands. In 2024, the wind farm generated $23,532.74. The Lands Management Program Supervisor said the new lease more than quadruples the fees.
Booth said the fees are set to increase by at least 2% every year for the next 50 years. Under the new lease agreement, PacifiCorp will pay the state $64,000 in the first year.
By the end of the 50-year contract, Booth said the state will have received over $5 million dollars from the agreement.
Booth said the second wind lease renewal was similar to the first, with 640 acres of a 2,780-acre wind farm on state trust lands, located roughly eight and a half miles north of Arlington. Booth said PacifiCorp will have paid the state $8 million in generation fees by the end of the 50-year lease.
Secretary of State, Chuck Gray, objected to the wind leases, saying they don’t align with the Board of Land Commissioners’ duty to ensure state trust land is generating the maximum possible revenue. Secretary Gray added that President Donald Trump has asked states to stop supporting wind energy projects.
Secretary Gray said he would vote against both wind leases.
Board of Lands Commissioners Auditor Kristi Racines disagreed with the Secretary of State’s remarks. Racines said the leases generate money for the state. By not renewing the agreement, the Board would be forcing PacifiCorp to remove its wind turbines from state trust land, creating a 640-acre gap in both wind farms and eliminating any state revenue.
Board Treasurer Curt Meier said China added 51.8 gigawatts of wind energy capacity in the first half of 2025. Treasurer Meier said not renewing the wind leases would effectively end the county’s energy independence at a time when electricity is critical to national security.
Secretary of State Gray said President Trump disputes claims that China is expanding its use of wind energy, arguing the country is instead building more coal and gas power plants. The Secretary of State said reliance on wind energy is forcing America to depend on global partners for electricity production.
Secretary of State Gray said the Board of Land Commissioners must do what’s right for the American people and take a stand against wind energy.
After further discussion, the Board of Land Commissioners approved both PacifiCorp wind energy lease renewals by votes of 3–2. The agreements are set to expire in 2075.
