Powder River Energy Corp. wants to build a solar array in Moorcroft near the rodeo grounds to generate its own solar power and store it in batteries until needed.
Crook County, like many rural areas in Wyoming, lacks a regulatory structure to permit solar and wind projects, so it drafted new rules and sought public feedback on them.
“We’re simply trying to get ahead of the game. “We are already behind on solar and wind regulations,” County Commission Chairman Fred Devish told Cowboy State Daily.
While large wind and solar development has so far concentrated in southern and central Wyoming, Devish believes steady winds in his county’s northwest may attract wind energy in the future.
The county wants to be prepared for a public debate similar to what is happening now in Niobrara and Converse counties.
“I think anywhere you go in Wyoming, it’s going to be pretty controversial,” Devish told the crowd. “It’s gotten very controversial down there.”
Devish is referring to the Sidewinder and Pronghorn projects, which continue to divide communities in and around Lusk and Douglas.
Concerns include visual impacts, property value effects, and questions about renewable energy subsidies. Some residents are concerned about how wind turbines and solar installations will affect their view of the landscape.
“It’s not exactly like a windmill in Holland,” Devish explained. “It’s not something you want in your backyard.”
Crook County is also concerned about the potential impact of large-scale projects on county roads and services.
“What we’re trying to put together is that the developers of these projects need to pay for those things because our budgets are pretty tight anyway,” Devish told me.
“It’s an expense that hopefully whoever’s developing these things will contribute to the economy enough to offset that stuff,” Devish pointed out. “And we’re trying to put it in the regs that they need to participate in financing all the extra calls for service that we get from this.”
Devish commented on the proposed solar project in Moorcroft, saying, “I believe it will lower the cost of electricity for residents in the county. Hopefully, they’ll realize that’s what it’s all about.
“If they can avoid buying power at peak times, when it is more expensive, they will be able to pass those savings on to the citizens. And I believe it’s a good project.”
Solar Proposal
The proposed Moorcroft project, which would use solar panels to feed power into a bank of batteries, could generate and store power while also providing an alternative source of energy, allowing Powder River Energy Corp. (PRECorp) to avoid purchasing electricity on the open market during peak demand.
“For it to become a reality, the county needed to have a structure that allowed it. And that is what they are working on right now,” PRECorp spokesperson Tim Velder told Cowboy State Daily.
According to a recent press release, the utility received approval for a $23.5 million loan from the USDA’s Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program to build the energy storage system and solar facility.
The Moorcroft Line Shop and substation, located just off Interstate 90, will provide 5 megawatts (MW) of energy storage and nearly 1.2 MW of solar generation.
According to the utility, using the 5 MW energy storage system to avoid purchasing power during expensive peak times on the open market will save an estimated $1 million per year.
The storage system would also provide backup power to the Moorcroft area.
The design and construction process is expected to take about two years, with the system being operational by spring 2027. After completion, the system will allow PRECorp to gain practical knowledge of energy storage technology.
Draft Regulations
The draft wind and solar regulations are open for public comment. They include notice requirements for landowners within one mile of proposed facilities, as well as minimum setback distances from property lines, roads, and residential structures.
Traffic studies and road use agreements may be required to protect county infrastructure, and emergency management plans will be reviewed by local officials.
There are proposals for decommissioning bonds and other financial assurances, with fees of up to 2.76% of total estimated material costs to cover county service impacts.
The regulations require developers to keep sales tax revenue local, while also potentially mandating payment for additional county services.
These and other details will be discussed in two upcoming public forums.
PRECorp will hold a public meeting from 5-7 p.m. on July 9 at the Moorcroft Line Shop to discuss its specific solar generation and battery storage project.
“Our goal is to provide an overview of this project, what it is, what it is not, and why we believe Moorcroft is a good fit,” stated PRECorp Vice President of Member Service Joe Roth in a prepared statement. “Our design team and others will also be available for one-on-one conversations about this technology and will be available to address questions and concerns from our members.”
On August 4, the Crook County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposed “Amended Wind and Solar Energy Facility Regulations” at 2:30 p.m.
Devish acknowledged that some county residents are skeptical of renewable energy projects, though their opinions vary greatly.
“So, a lot of people in the county do not like wind or solar,” he informed me. “Most of it is, they don’t want it purely because they don’t want it.”
Devish stated that “the ones that are close by” in Moorcroft have expressed greater concern about the PRECorp project than those who live further away.
He advised county residents, “Ask questions and look into it. Do not believe everything you hear. “Get to the facts, and you’ll be able to discuss it.”
Crook County’s regulatory framework aims to balance potential economic benefits from energy development with community concerns and fiscal responsibility, ensuring that any future projects contribute fairly to county coffers rather than imposing costs on existing taxpayers.
