Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs

  • The proposed Chalk Bluffs project will generate approximately 728MW of electricity, produced by a combination of 300MW solar and 428MW of wind power. The project will also include 500MW of battery storage. Depending on which turbine is selected, we expect the project to include up to 95 wind turbines. For perspective, this is less than half the number of wind turbines that already exist southwest of Cheyenne or east of Grover.

  • The power from Chalk Bluffs is expected to provide reliable, cost-effective energy to the regional grid (that is, to all types of consumers). Regardless of who uses the power, the economic benefits stay local – in the same way that oil and gas development benefits Weld and Laramie counties. 

  • No. Not only is this energy cost‐effective, but it supplies wholesale power, which does not directly affect your retail rates. Local power prices will not change in response to this project. Data centers in Wyoming are required to “bring their own power” in order to not impact other customers.

  • A detailed economic benefit analysis was prepared by MPG Consulting that demonstrates that the Project will have a significant beneficial impact on the local economy.

    • Brings new jobs to the local community. During construction there will be a need for 1,090 workers at the peak stages and approximately 346 full-time equivalent roles each year over the two-year construction period. When the project is operational, there will be approximately 19 full-time equivalent, direct positions across the region and an additional 37 full-time equivalent indirect roles supported for the life of the project (30 or more years).

    • Economic boost to the County. The project will create incremental diversified, tax revenue for the county, schools, and taxing districts (e.g. school districts, library districts, etc.). The project is estimated to bring over 155 times more tax revenue than what is generated currently by the hosting land. The project will also boost economic activity through increased supply chain spending (new wages, purchases from local suppliers, contractors, household and business spending, etc.) over the life of the project.

    • Diversification of local landowner income. The Chalk Bluffs project is proposed on private property where ranching is the primary land use—a way of life that can continue alongside the new energy infrastructure. Sponsoring landowners benefit from both land lease payments and by continuing to run cattle.

    • Prioritizing U.S. and regional suppliers and employers. Enyo is a staunch proponent of US homegrown energy and consistently prioritizes energy equipment from US-based manufacturers.

  • Construction is expected to begin in approximately the fall of 2027, and the project is expected to be fully complete and operational in 2029.

  • The Chalk Bluffs project is proposed on private property where ranching is the primary land use—an activity that can continue alongside the new energy infrastructure. In addition to providing private landowners with a diversified and stable revenue stream, the project will significantly generate more property tax income for the County than the current agricultural use.

  • No, this project is not dependent on federal tax credits. This project is being driven by the need for more energy generation to meet growing demand.  Weld and Laramie Counties are leaders in energy development of all kinds and are well positioned to benefit from this “All of the Above” energy project.

Technology

  • Our decommissioning plan (which is approved by county officials) prioritizes recycling wind turbine components, solar modules and steel supports, battery storage units, inverters, transformers, transmission towers, electric cables, chain-link fences, etc. For example, wind turbines can be recycled in various ways – including breaking down blades and pressing them into pellets and fiberboards to be used for flooring and walls or turning the blades into raw materials for use in cement manufacturing.

    Non-recyclable parts, like the wind turbine concrete foundations will be removed down to three feet, crushed and reprocessed into other building materials. The remaining wind turbine and solar components are landfill-safe just like household garbage, and represent a small fraction of overall U.S. municipal solid waste. However, we look for recycling alternatives to reduce our impact on community landfills.

  • The wind turbines will be fully weatherized. On wind turbines in northern climates, such as Wyoming’s and Colorado’s, special “cold weather packages” are installed to provide heating to turbine components such as the gearbox, yaw and pitch motors, and battery. This can allow them to operate in temperatures down to minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit. To prevent icing on rotor blades — which causes the blades to catch air less efficiently and to generate less power — heating and water-resistant coatings are used.

    The solar panel glass is designed to withstand hail and is tempered, like the windshields of cars, and therefore resists breakage.

  • A battery energy storage system (BESS) is a technology that uses rechargeable batteries to store electrical energy for later use. These systems capture surplus energy from sources like solar or wind, and then discharge it when needed, such as during peak demand or grid outages. Benefits of a BESS include:

    • Grid stability: Helps stabilize the grid by balancing supply and demand.

    • Renewable integration: Allows for the storage of the energy to ensure a consistent power supply.

    • Backup power: Provides a reliable power source during outages.

    • Energy management: Helps manage energy consumption more efficiently and can “peak shave” by supplying power during high-demand periods.

  • The actual footprint will be small and avoids cultivated and irrigated farms and water infrastructure. Most electrical cables will be underground. Cattle can continue to roam and graze in the wind turbine area. Our leases allow landowners to maintain control of their land, so they can continue to allow ranching and hunting on their property.  In fact, it is not uncommon for cattle and other grazers to be seen taking advantage of the shade provided by wind turbines. 

  • Like the car you drive, existing energy infrastructure throughout the U.S. and technology you use every day, there could be components within the supply chain for new energy installations that originate outside the U.S. However, thanks to recent reshoring efforts, more domestic energy infrastructure components are available. Enyo intends to prioritize equipment from U.S. and regional sources whenever possible.

Environmental

Impacts

  • All energy producing and storage equipment is required to implement erosion and sediment controls during construction and, prior to operation, we must obtain a stormwater management permit that implements an approved Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan to protect the environment and neighbors.

  • Chalk Bluffs is coordinating with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Wyoming Game and Fish, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to wildlife. The Chalk Bluffs wildlife mitigation plan will implement recommendations from Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s “Best Management Practices for Wind Farm Development,” Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s “Wyoming Game and Fish Department Guidelines for Wind and Solar Energy Development” and “Recommended Buffer Zones and Seasonal Restrictions for Raptors,” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s “Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines,” and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s “Region 6 Recommendations for Avoidance and Minimization of Impacts to Golden Eagles at Wind Energy Facilities.” Chalk Bluffs has incorporated the results of wildlife, wetland, and cultural field studies into the Project design. Project facilities will be sited away from floodplains and other surface water resources, as well as raptor nests and other important habitat features.

    Chalk Bluffs will continue to coordinate with wildlife agencies to set facilities back from raptor nests and other sensitive resources to the extent feasible and will continue to incorporate new findings into Project design and operations.

  • No water is needed for operations, and the project will have no effect on existing water infrastructure or wells. Water associated with the land stays with the land. A small amount of water will be required during construction. 

  • Land disturbed during construction will be brought back to pre-construction state.  We regrade and reseed with native grasses.  Current land uses can continue with the new energy infrastructure. The project is situated around and coordinating with existing oil and gas operations.

Impacts to

Neighbors

  • Will the Solar Facility Make Any Sound? 

    The Project will comply with County noise ordinances. Because they have very few moving parts, solar farms come close to operating silently.  Some of the electric equipment creates a hum that would not be heard by neighbors.  

    What Sound do the Batteries Create? 

    Battery energy storage systems contain fans from air conditioning units as shown on this map. They have been placed far from property boundaries to allow the sound to dissipate. 

    Will the Wind Turbines Make Sound? 

    Wind turbines will be placed far from residential areas, so the sounds they produce will not disrupt the local community. Extensive sound studies have been conducted for the area to ensure that any sounds produced by the facility will be well below required levels. 

    The U.S. Department of Energy has researched sound impacts of wind turbines and found that, “on average, land-based, utility-scale (large) wind turbines produce sounds that fall in the range of 35–45 dB when heard from 300 meters away (this Project is farther from homes). That means they are no louder than a typical refrigerator (50 dB) and create far less noise pollution than average city car traffic (70 dB).” 

    Source: U.S. Department of Energy Wind Exchange Sound

  • Virtually none. Motion‐activated and downward-facing lights are located only at gates and at some equipment. 

    To minimize lighting impacts from wind turbines, Chalk Bluffs prefers installing an Aircraft Detection Lighting System (ADLS) that does not require the continuous red flashing night-time lighting common in nearby wind farms.  Using ADLS is subject to Federal Aviation Administration approval and may not be feasible due to existing flight paths. The number of wind turbines with lights and the specific lighting pattern will be determined in consultation with the Federal Aviation Administration.

  • Solar panels are designed to absorb, not reflect, sunlight. In fact, they reflect much less light than glass or water. 98% of the sunlight is absorbed and converted to electricity.

  • After construction is complete, workers will occasionally be accessing the project with pickup trucks for equipment maintenance and vegetation management.

  • Studies have found that modern energy projects do not negatively affect home value. A 2013 study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory looking at 50,000 homes within 10 miles of 67 wind facilities found that property values had no significant impact (LBNL, 2013). Another 2019 study from the University of California at Davis found no negative impact on property values during installation, construction, or post-construction (Brinkley and Leach 2019). A 2023 study from Conservative Texans for Energy Innovation found that in rural areas like Chalk Bluffs, “residential real estate markets, overall, are unaffected when located in proximity to a utility-scale solar project.” 

  • No. Neither wind turbines nor solar panels are harmful to humans.  Solar panels are one of the least intrusive and cleanest forms of power generation available. Access to electrical power equipment will be restricted to maintenance personnel.

  • Yes, when properly designed, installed, and maintained, Battery Energy Storage Systems are safe. Modern utility-scale battery storage facilities incorporate multiple layers of safety features and must comply with rigorous fire and building codes established by the International Fire Code and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

     

    These systems include advanced monitoring technology that continuously tracks temperature, voltage, and other critical parameters. If any irregular conditions are detected, automated safety systems can quickly isolate affected battery modules and trigger suppression systems. Facilities are also designed with adequate spacing between battery units, fire-resistant materials, and sophisticated ventilation systems to manage heat and prevent the spread of any potential thermal events.

     

    Battery storage systems undergo extensive testing and must meet safety standards, which specifically address fire safety for energy storage systems. Additionally, facilities are subject to regular inspections and maintenance protocols to ensure all safety systems remain operational. Chalk Bluffs will work with local fire departments to ensure they receive specialized training on battery storage facilities, and emergency response plans are developed specifically for the site.

     

    While lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries do contain stored energy and require proper safety measures (like other industrial facilities like natural gas plants or electrical substations), the industry has developed comprehensive safety protocols based on years of operational experience. The safety record of utility-scale battery storage continues to improve as technology advances and industry standards evolve. Modern installations benefit from lessons learned across thousands of operational facilities worldwide, making today's battery storage systems safer than ever before.

  • The Chalk Bluffs project has been carefully sited away from major roads and populated areas, with the closest wind facility placed more than 2.5 miles from Chalk Bluff Road (in Wyoming) and 3.5 miles from U.S. 85 (in Colorado). The Project well exceeds residential and commercial setback requirements, including placing the solar farm nearly a mile from the nearest non-participating residence.

    Viewshed analyses and renderings are being prepared to show where and how many wind turbines will be visible from certain perspectives. Whether a viewer likes them or not is up to personal preference.

  • Enyo is carefully studying the final placement of each wind turbine to minimize the potential for annoyance from shadow flicker, which can occur when a wind turbine’s blades cast a moving shadow during low-angle sunlight conditions (typical during sunrise and sunset) on locations within a certain distance of a turbine. 

    These moving shadows, or shadow flicker, are temporary phenomena and do not occur when the sun is obscured by clouds or fog, at night, when the sun is higher in the sky, when the wind turbine is not operating, or when the wind turbine is far from the viewer. 

    At distances less than 1,000 meters (3,281 feet), shadow flicker may be noticeable, whereas at distances greater than 1,000 meters shadow flicker is considered low and barely noticeable. 

    A panel of independent experts commissioned by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection recommends shadow flicker not occur more than 30 minutes per day and not more than 30 hours per year at a residence. Enyo has conducted extensive shadow flicker studies based upon industry-best practices for the area and commits that any impacts produced by the facility will fall under these recommended levels.

  • We understand the impact that construction vehicles can have on dirt roads.  We will work with contractors to enforce speed limits among construction drivers.  The project will pay for improvements to county roads where needed and it will rely primarily on private roads. Noise, dust, and traffic mitigation plans will be implemented with community feedback.

  • During the construction phase we will work with all contractors to ensure that the construction site is clean and prevent refuse from blowing off the property by using temporary "trash fences” where applicable.