Wind Energy Development Challenges conference Aug 13-14
Possibilities in Wyoming
by University of Wyoming
July 29, 2009
Gov. Dave Freudenthal will convene stakeholders next month to examine the complex issues surrounding wind energy development in Wyoming, focusing on economic, physical and cultural impacts on the state's landscape, its wildlife and the people who live here.
Members of the public, civic leaders, industry representatives and others interested in wind energy development are encouraged to attend the conference at the University of Wyoming's Union ballroom on August 13-14.
"As this boom in wind development unfolds in Wyoming, our state is balanced on the 'razor's edge' with respect to sage grouse and other sensitive wildlife species and our economic sustainability and private property rights," the governor said. "I encourage the public and state and local leaders to engage in this important discussion."
Among the topics to be examined are the implications of federal policy, project siting and development strategy, transmission development and the impacts on Wyoming's natural resources including its land and water, wildlife and cultural and historic sites.
Highlights of the conference include a keynote address by Gov. Freudenthal, who will discuss the broader issues posed by wind development and transmission infrastructure. Steve Black, counselor to the secretary of the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, will follow with a discussion of the federal government's perspective on wind energy development.
In a session focused on the impact of wind energy infrastructure on state and local revenues, presentations will be offered by: Wyoming Sen. Jim Anderson, who chairs the Legislative Wind Task Force; Ed Schmidt, director of the Wyoming Department of Revenue; Lynne Boomgaarden, director of the Office of State Lands and Investments and Converse County Commissioner Ed Werner.
The key role of transmission development will be the focus of a panel discussion, with speakers including Steve Ellenbecker of the Wyoming Infrastructure Authority; Walt George, Wyoming BLM state liaison; Rich Walje, president of Rocky Mountain Power and Bob Easton of the Western Area Power Administration.
Bob Budd, executive director of the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, will be moderator of a panel addressing the impacts to wildlife, and in particular, sage grouse. Panelists are: Paul Ulrich, government affairs adviser at EnCana; Brian Rutledge, executive director of Audubon Wyoming; Dale Strickland, president of Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; Scott Hicks of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; John Emmerich, deputy director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department; Chris Keefe, wildlife biologist at the Wyoming State BLM and Ryan Henning, project manager at CH2M HILL.
Sessions will also focus on the impact of wind energy development on Wyoming's open spaces and cultural resources, with presentations by Mary Hopkins, Wyoming State Historic Preservation Officer and Tom Lahti, landscape architect at the Wyoming State BLM.
The conference's second day will begin with a discussion on the economics of wind energy project development to be moderated by Indy Burke, director of UW's Haub School and Ruckleshaus Institute of Environment and Natural Resources. The final session will include discussion about the future of wind development in Wyoming.
To view a complete agenda and for registration information, visit the Wyoming Wind Symposium Web site: www.uwyo.edu/enr/ienr/windsymposium.
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