FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Anne Brande
(307) 760-7330
albanycountyconservancy@gmail.com

Conservancy Seeks Immediate Halt to Rail Tie and Two River Wind Approvals Pending New Federal Review 

Laramie, WY (February 27) ― The Albany County Conservancy (ACC) has formally requested the U.S. Departments of Energy and Interior to immediately “suspend all preexisting authorizations and any ongoing federal permitting processes” for the proposed Two Rivers and Rail Tie wind energy projects (“Projects”) in Albany County, Wyoming, consistent with President Trump’s recent Executive Order on wind energy.

The Conservancy argues that the Projects, planned in the ecologically sensitive Laramie and Shirley Basin ecosystem, pose significant threats to golden eagles, migratory birds, bats, and other wildlife. Specifically, the Conservancy claims the government’s actions in permitting these facilities violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) due to inadequate environmental assessments. Two Rivers Wind was reviewed and approved by the Bureau of Land Management. The Department of Energy’s sub-agency, the Western Area Power Administration approved Rail Tie Wind. In each case the decisions were made without adequately considering impacts to golden eagles as required by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

“The Biden Administration aggressively pushed wind energy development as the solution to climate concerns, but sacrificing biodiversity in the name of climate change makes no scientific or moral sense,” said ACC Director, Anne Brande.

Albany County Conservancy (ACC), Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists and other concerned parties, filed a petition in federal court challenging approval of the Rail Tie Wind Project (Project) in Albany County by the U.S. Department of Energy Western Area Power Administration’s on December 23, 2024.

In  letters sent to Department of Energy Secretary, Wright, Department of Energy Secretary, Burgum, and Attorney General, Bondi, the ACC explains that these Projects are precisely the type of wind energy applications previously authorized by the Biden Administration in violation of federal environmental law and the national historic preservation act and that prompt action is necessary in order to ensure compliance and consistency with President Trump’s Executive Order. In the case of Rail Tie Wind mitigation measures violate section 110F in regards to the Ames National Historic Landmark (NHL) Bonnie Smith president of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists warns that, “Rail Tie Wind does not set good protections in place moving forward regarding the other 27 nationally significant historic landmarks that have been designated in Wyoming.” 

Mike Lockhart, a co-petitioner and former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist, has been satellite-tagging golden eagles in Wyoming since 2014, focusing primarily on the impacts of wind turbines. Overall, 82% of documented eagle deaths in Mr. Lockhart’s studies were human caused.  And wind turbines were responsible for 43.5% of the known deaths of tagged eagles, making them the leading cause of human-related fatalities in Wyoming —more than vehicle collisions, shootings, and electrocutions combined.  Lockhart warns that unchecked wind development is creating a crisis for both local and migratory golden eagle populations.

The ACC has filed a lawsuit opposing the Rail Tie wind project and is currently considering taking similar action against Two Rivers Wind. But it is the federal officials within the Departments of Energy and Interior that should be conducting these reviews rather than ACC in a federal court fighting over what are clearly Projects that were not adequately evaluated or approved consistent with NEPA.  

The Albany County Conservancy is a grassroots coalition of Albany County residents dedicated to the preservation and protection of habitat, history, and wildlife through education, public policy initiatives, and legal advocacy. The ACC and its co-petitioners are represented by the public interest law firm Eubanks & Associates, PLLC.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Anne Brande
                (307) 760-7330
albanycountyconservancy@gmail.com

Albany County Conservancy and Partners File Legal Challenge to Rail Tie Wind Project Approval

The Conservancy seeks immediate suspension of all federal authorizations of Rail Tie Wind pending new, comprehensive evaluation pursuant to Executive Order

Laramie, WY (February 11)― Albany County Conservancy (ACC), Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists and other concerned parties, filed a petition in federal court challenging approval of the Rail Tie Wind Project (Project) in Albany County by the U.S. Department of Energy Western Area Power Administration’s (WAPA). Rail Tie, if allowed to proceed, will locate up to 149 wind turbines in southeast Wyoming. The Laramie and Shirley basin area of Wyoming is one of the most important areas in North America for Golden eagle populations. Rail Tie Wind is also immediately adjacent to the nationally recognized Ames Monument National Historic Landmark.

Mike Lockhart, a co-petitioner and former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist, has been satellite-tagging golden eagles in Wyoming since 2014, focusing primarily on the impacts of wind turbines. His studies show wind turbines are responsible for 43.5% of the deaths of tagged eagles, making them the leading cause of human-related fatalities—more than vehicle collisions, shootings, and electrocution combined. Lockhart warns that unchecked wind development is creating a crisis for both local and migratory golden eagle populations. Overall, 82% of documented eagle deaths in Mr. Lockhart’s studies were human caused.   

The impacts to the Ames Monument National Historic Landmark are equally concerning. Bonnie Smith, President of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists warns that, “Rail Tie Wind does not set good protections in place moving forward regarding our other 20 nationally significant Wyoming historic landmarks.” 

In light of President Trump’s January 20, 2025 Executive Order on Wind Projects, the ACC has also formally requested the U.S. Departments of Energy and Interior to immediately suspend all federal authorizations and ongoing permitting processes in connection with the Project pending the outcome of a new, comprehensive evaluation pursuant to Executive Order.

In its letter to Secretaries Wright, Burgum, and Attorney General Bondi, the ACC explains that the Project “is precisely the type of wind energy project previously authorized by the federal government that faces ‘pending litigation related to any aspect of [its] Federal [approval].’” This, coupled with the serious legal violations alleged in a pending lawsuit under the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) and the National Historic Preservation Act (“NHPA”), demands additional review by the Trump Administration. The letter to the Trump Administration agencies can be found at this link.

The Albany County Conservancy is a grassroots coalition of Albany County residents dedicated to the preservation and protection of habitat, history, and wildlife through education, public policy initiatives, and legal advocacy. The ACC and its co-petitioners are represented by the public interest law firm Eubanks & Associates, PLLC.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Anne Brande
(307) 760-7330
albanycountyconservancy@gmail.com

Mike Lockhart (307) 760-8605

US Bureau of Land Management withdraws approval of Rock Creek Wind Gen-Tie Transmission Line

Right-of-way authorization revoked after agency fails to follow federal public notification procedures

Laramie, WY (October 25) ― The Albany County Conservancy (ACC) together with retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Mike Lockhart claimed victory this week when the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) withdrew its decision to grant a right-of-way (ROW) for the Rock Creek Wind Gen-Tie Transmission line to cross federal public lands in southeastern Wyoming.

The Conservancy and Mr. Lockhart were plaintiffs in a legal challenge to the ROW decision where they argued that BLM “conducted its review of the project in secret - without any public notice or input whatsoever.”

The Rock Creek Wind Gen-Tie project is part of PacifiCorp’s massive electrical transmission build-out planned for habitat-rich lands in southeast Wyoming for the purpose of delivering wind energy to California. The power line will be constructed in the high desert ecosystem that connects multiple mountain ranges enclosing the Shirley and Laramie basins, one of the most important habitat areas for golden eagles in North America. PacifiCorp’s future power lines will include Gateway South, Gateway West, and Gateway D 2.2.

In an October 10, 2023 filing with the court, Rawlins BLM Field Office Director, Timothy M. Novotny stated that “The Bureau of Land Management has decided further NEPA analysis is warranted to give the public an opportunity to provide input on the potential environmental impacts of the right-of-way.”

“We are encouraged by the BLM’s action of voluntary remand without vacatur. However, it is astounding and disturbing that the BLM, a federal agency tasked with protecting federal lands, imperiled wildlife, and historic sites associated with this area, was solely focused on opening public land to exploitation by private interests without any public transparency,” said Anne Brande, ACC Director. “That is until we, a grassroots coalition of concerned residents, discovered that the decision was signed without public input. This is a strong testament to the strength of NEPA and its importance in facilitating public involvement with federal decisions.”

“This critical, year-round habitat for golden eagles is also home to many imperiled species including the greater sage grouse, mountain plover, black footed ferret, and the northern leopard frog,” said Mike Lockhart, research biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife. “All these species are of enormous social and economic importance to Wyoming and the nation.”

With seventeen operating industrial wind energy sites and their accompanying industrial power lines and substations already in operation in southeastern Wyoming and a grand total, at present, of twenty-one sites approved, large swaths of Wyoming’s vital habitat areas are quickly transforming into an enormous industrial complex of exceptional danger to migratory birds and bats. The American public cannot afford to have its federal agencies ignore the environmental laws they are tasked with upholding. Sacrificing biodiversity in the name of climate change makes no scientific or moral sense.

The ACC commends the agency for its action and reminds the BLM and its sister agencies that they have an obligation to take care of the environment, prioritize the public interest, subject their decisions to transparency and scrutiny, and protect our natural heritage.

The Albany County Conservancy is a grassroots coalition of Albany County residents dedicated to the preservation and protection of habitat, history, and wildlife through education, public policy initiatives, and legal advocacy. It is represented by the public interest law firm Eubanks & Associates, PLLC.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Anne Brande
(307) 760-7330
albanycountyconservancy@gmail.com

Federal agency fails to notify public, finds “no significant impact” without seeking public comment

Laramie, Wy. ― Last Friday the Albany County Conservancy filed a Complaint against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Federal Court regarding its final decision to issue a right-of-way for the Rock Creek Wind Gen-Tie transmission line on BLM land in southeast Wyoming. This large-scale industrial power line will connect the Rock Creek Wind Project to Pacific Corporation Rocky Mountain Power’s Gateway South, Gateway West, and Gateway D 2.2 electrical superhighway. BLM found “no significant impact” regarding the Rock Creek Wind power line without any public notification, comment, or other forms of public participation. Rock Creek Wind and the associated Rock Creek Gen-Tie Line will destroy thousands of acres of important habitat for greater sage-grouse, golden eagles, and other wildlife.

“Renewable energy facilities aren’t green if they are poorly sited such that they kill and degrade critically important habitats for protected and declining wildlife in this Rocky Mountain/transitional grassland basin region so important to both resident and migratory species,” says Anne Brande, a fourth-generation Wyoming photographer and founder and Executive Director of the Albany County Conservancy. “The Bureau of Land Management is trying to sneak through approval of these federal rights-of-way without environmental review, enabling a massive cumulative assault on declining wildlife and habitat from both existing and numerous proposed wind projects. Rock Creek Wind also sits a mere 5 miles from Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge.”

“This high desert ecosystem, connecting multiple mountain ranges encloses the Shirley and Laramie Basins in southeast Wyoming. It is one of the most important areas for golden eagles in North America. Other endangered species who call this area home include greater sage grouse, mountain plover, black footed ferret, and the northern leopard frog. All these species are of enormous social and economic importance to Wyoming and the nation.” Mike Lockhardt Research Biologist for U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

“There are already seventeen operating wind farms in southeastern Wyoming. There will be twenty-one operative wind projects in southeastern Wyoming after approved build out in the near future. After all are complete there will be a contiguous and enormous industrial complex of exceptional danger to migratory birds and bats commonly killed by large scale wind development and the associated power lines and substations that accompany it. The American public cannot afford to have Federal agencies ignore environmental laws they are tasked with upholding.” Lockhardt https://eerscmap.usgs.gov/uswtdb/viewer/#8.16/41.725/-106.15

“The biodiversity crisis is as dire as the climate crisis. Sacrificing biodiversity in the name of climate change makes no scientific or moral sense,” says Brande.

The Albany County Conservancy is a grassroots coalition of Albany County residents dedicated to the preservation and protection of habitat, history, and wildlife through education, public policy initiatives, and legal advocacy. The ACC and its co-petitioners are represented by the public interest law firm Eubanks & Associates, PLLC.

(Site photo available upon request.)