Friday, February 6, 2026 |
Photo – Wind turbines – Bigfoot99 file photo
On Thursday, Secretary of State Chuck Gray successfully introduced a resolution on the Board of Land Commissioners to initiate the cancellation of two wind energy projects in Wyoming.
“I’m proud to vote to end the wind leases in Converse and Niobrara Counties,” Secretary Gray said in a statement. “I continue to oppose these woke wind leases because they’re wrong for Wyoming and are inconsistent with the fiduciary duty of the Board.”
The state land board voted 3-2 to begin a legal process that could cancel wind leases in Converse and Niobrara Counties. Joining Gray were School Superintendent Megan Degenfelder and Auditor Kristi Racines.
Voting against the measure were Governor Mark Gordon and Treasurer Curt Meier.
Gray introduced both measures. He said a district court judge’s ruling last year noted that the board broke its own rules to approve the Pronghorn 2 wind project lease.
Gray also introduced a motion calling for Attorney General Keith Kautz to withdraw the state’s appeal of the denial. It passed 3-2 along the same lines.
State Auditor Kristi Racines brought a motion aimed at killing another wind lease, known as Sidewinder, in Niobrara County.
Like the other two motions, Racine’s passed 3-2.
The pushback against the drive for wind energy comes from state lawmakers, wildlife advocates, and even political leaders in small towns, such as Glenrock, where the mayor was opposed to the governor.
Opponents at meetings in central Wyoming last year pointed to the uptick in deaths among birds, impacts on viewshed, and potential pollution to land water.
The infighting among state leaders over the future of wind energy in Wyoming will keep attorneys on both sides busy for the next few years.
