US approves 3,000MW wind projects in Wyoming

The US Department of Interior has authorized the construction of the 3,000MW Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project site in southeast Wyoming.

Development of the project will generate enough energy that can power 1 million homes and also create 1,000 jobs.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar had announced the project and stated that harnessing the vast renewable energy resources in the country will support a clean energy future.

"Wyoming has some of the best wind energy resources in the world, and there’s no doubt that this project has the potential to be a landmark example for the nation," Salazar added.

"President Obama challenged us in his State of the Union address to authorize 10,000 megawatts of renewable energy on our public lands by the end of the year – enough to meet the needs of more than 3 million homes – and today we are making good on that promise."

The Chokecherry and Sierra Madre project is would contain up to 1,000 wind turbines, located 10 miles south of Rawlins in Carbon County, and cover two sites across 219,707 acres of land.

Power Company of Wyoming will operate the project, to be developed in phases. The project aims to ensure less than 2,000 acres footprint.

Subsequent to the approval, the BLM would begin site specific environmental analysis for the Chokecherry Wind Farm, the Sierra Madre Wind Farm, internal haul road, internal transmission line, rail distribution facility and substations for grid connection.

BLM acting director Mike Pool commented, "The Bureau of Land Management is committed to responsibly developing renewable energy on our country’s public lands."