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Council adopts MOU on impact‑assistance funds for Laramie Range wind project after public questions on cost estimates
Summary
Council adopted a resolution to authorize an MOU allocating potential state impact‑assistance funds for the Laramie Range wind project; public commenters pressed for detail on the city's ~$700,000 estimate and raised concerns about cumulative regional impacts and decommissioning obligations.
The council voted to adopt a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a memorandum of understanding for allocation of impact‑assistance funds related to the Laramie Range wind project application before the Industrial Siting Council. The finance committee recommended adoption and the motion carried with a recorded no vote from Mister Moody.
Wendy Volk, who provided handouts to council members, underscored the scale of the proposed wind project and questioned the city's estimate of roughly $700,000 in impact‑assistance funds. “According to the resolution before you, the proposed project would generate up to 650 megawatts, occupy approximately 41,220 acres or approximately 64 square miles, and employ up to 305 construction workers for approximately 2 years,” Volk told the council and asked which city departments and assumptions underlie the $700,000 figure.
Charles Miller also criticized the administration’s approach, alleging selective application of the Industrial Siting Act and contrasting the MOU with the city's recent handling of a separate, large industrial annexation. “You cannot selectively enforce state industrial regulations based on which corporation is sitting across the table,” Miller said. Council members and the city attorney said the ISC process and bonding/decommissioning requirements are determined at the state level but that the MOU is intended to allocate mitigation funds if the project is permitted.
