Wyoming Public Radio: Rail Tie Approved

In a feature for Wyoming Public Radio's Open Spaces, Jeff Victor details the last-minute conditions commissioners required of ConnectGen, and the factors they weighed in making their decision.

The Rail Tie Wind Project was approved unanimously by the Albany County Commissioners. While the project still has some permits to acquire, the county-level approval is a big win for ConnectGen and the advocates of renewable energy development in the county.

Commissioner Sue Ibarra said hearing from young people, angry and engaged about the issue of climate change, helped cement her decision to approve.

"While I sympathize with those residents whose views will be affected, my primary concern is ultimately about renewable energy and the urgent need to take some serious steps to address climate change," Ibarra said. "We must demonstrate to the next generation that we are concerned about the environmental harm we have created."

Read or listen to the full feature on Wyoming Public Media’s site.