Albany County approves 24-month conditional use permit for Heirloom Energy pilot

The Albany County Board of Commissioners approved a conditional use permit on April 15 allowing Heirloom Energy to build a temporary pilot wind-energy installation north of Rock River.

County planning staff and the applicant described the project as a two-year test of a new wind-energy device that will occupy roughly 5 acres and run on a track supported by multiple towers. David (county planning staff) told commissioners the device would likely be about 65 feet tall, include a number of support towers laid out in an oval, and carry moving wings that could reach speeds up to 90 miles per hour. He said the project is nearly a mile from any occupied structures and that the applicant had provided responses to comments from the Wyoming Department of Transportation, Game and Fish, the Laramie Rivers Conservation District and the county engineer.

Why it matters: The pilot could shape local regulation of novel wind technologies. Planning staff said the device did not fit the county's current definition of a wind energy conversion system, so the applicant sought a conditional use in agricultural zoning. Commissioners and staff said lessons learned during the 24-month test could inform future updates to wind-energy rules.

The applicant, represented by Sam Farset, identified the installation as a first-of-its-kind test to validate engineering simulations and environmental impacts prior to commercial deployment. "The next step is clearly to build one and to validate everything that we've done on paper," Farset said. He said the project will include environmental and agricultural impact work and that the company plans to work with local agencies to address wildlife and access concerns. Troy (chief product officer) and other Heirloom team members attended to answer technical questions.

Commission discussion focused on noise, safety, access and how the device fits zoning definitions. A county planner said WYDOT requires an access permit for any change of use to the existing field access and that any use of county roads would require a road-use agreement. Commissioners noted the project's temporary status and that the Planning and Zoning Commission had unanimously recommended approval with the staff report's findings of fact and conclusions of law.

The motion to approve the Heirloom Energy conditional use application C U‑01‑25, "with public comment and staff recommendations," passed. The county record shows the motion carried and was accepted by the board.

The pilot team said a tentative groundbreaking is scheduled for June 25 and that construction and initial testing could take roughly four months, with further testing during the permit period. The applicant said they plan to fabricate as much as possible in Wyoming and to design the system so components could be shipped in standard containers for easier transport.

The county will monitor compliance with WYDOT and other agency comments and retain authority under the conditional use process to require mitigation or removal at the end of the 24-month period.