A massive wind energy project that will spread from Rawlins to Saratoga received another positive assessment from the Bureau of Land Management Wednesday.
The Chokecherry Sierra-Madre wind farm is the nation’s largest wind project. It’s expected to power up to a million homes. The BLM says the goal is to mitigate potential impacts and ensure that species needs are met along with along with renewable energy goals. BLM spokesman Dan Purdy adds that it should have a major economic impact.
“Through BLM’s analysis we’re seeing up to a thousand jobs during the construction period of this project and another 100 jobs when the project’s complete. On top of that I think you have just the benefits of having a huge renewable energy project in Wyoming that’s going to help out the entire nation.”
The Power Company of Wyoming LLC, which will develop and operate the project, estimates it will contribute $232 million from sales taxes and $170 million from a state wind-electricity tax over the next 20 years.
Public meetings will be held in Saratoga and Rawlins at the end of the month.