CHEVRON TO BUILD WYOMING WIND

There could be no finer testimony to the competitiveness of wind energy in today’s marketplace than the grudging one given by Chevron Global Power’s wind project manager Bill Reese at discussions about a proposed Wyoming Chevron installation: “Chevron power is not really in the business of going out and just building a wind farm because they think it’s a great idea to do any place in the world…We only look to increase the value of Chevron by putting power assets like this at existing Chevron facilities…”

Site planning for any wind energy installation is a measured, cautious process. Environmental impacts and community reaction are carefully studied. Most wind builders long ago realized the wind blows a lot of places and not all of them make good sites for wind projects. Does that disqualify wind as an important source of 21st century energy? Let Chevron’s Reese take that one: “We realize that this (wind energy) is going to be part of the energy mix in the future, so we’re investigating ways that we can participate in that energy space…”

(from AWEA & EIA - click to enlarge)

Chevron adds wind energy to its mix
Megan Lee, April 7, 2008 (Casper StarTribune)

WHO
Chevron Global Power Company (Bill Reese, wind project manager); Chevron Environmental Management Company (Bob Conlon, spokesman)

Wind energy is growing a lot faster than most people realize. (from AWEA - click to enlarge)

WHAT
Chevron is doing site planning for a 20 megawatt, 13 turbine wind power installation.

WHEN
- The site planning process is expected to be near completion by the end of 2008.
- No permits have yet been granted by the county and Chevron has yet to approve funding beyond the planning and feasibility process.

click to enlarge

WHERE
- Chevron’s wind installation will be on Chevron-owned land in Evansville north of the Platte River that was formerly a Texaco refinery.

WHY
- As part of the site planning process, Chevron has determined the proper spacing for its turbines to minimize bird and bat population and migration impacts.
- Wyoming’s built wind capacity is 15th in the U.S. with 288 megawatts.
- One assessment estimates Wyoming’s wind energy potential at 85,000 megawatts.

Another 20 megawatts and Wyoming moves ahead of Pennsylvania. Only hot air in PA this month. (from AWEA - click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Conlon, Chevron Environmental Management: “We go out and look at social, cultural, environmental and community issues and how this type of project might affect each one of those…We have this internal obligation to garner from the local community what your thoughts are on a development like this.”
- Reese, Chevron Global Power: “One thing that we’ve already seen here in Casper is that community involvement early is necessary and beneficial…”