Chokecherry-Sierra Madre Wind
The largest onshore wind project ever proposed in the United States. Located on the 320,000-acre Overland Trail Cattle Company ranch south of Rawlins, Wyoming, the project would install up to 600+ turbines generating 3,000 MW. Paired with the TransWest Express transmission line to deliver power to California and Nevada markets. Over 10 years in permitting, with construction now underway.
Paired Infrastructure: TransWest Express
This project depends on the 732-mile TransWest Express transmission line (3,000 MW HVDC from Wyoming to Nevada) which is now under construction with expected completion ~2025-2026. The wind project's timeline is tied to transmission availability.
Risk Factors
Analysis: Primary risks are environmental (eagle mortality, sage grouse habitat) and execution (massive scale, transmission dependency). Project benefits from private land siting (avoiding BLM delays) and strong Wyoming political support for energy development.
Timeline
Power Company of Wyoming (Philip Anschutz) announces project; begins 10+ year permitting process
Wyoming Industrial Siting Council approves project permit
BLM grants Right-of-Way for TransWest Express transmission line
Final Environmental Impact Statement issued after extensive federal, state, and local review
BLM issues Notice to Proceed for TransWest Express; construction begins
TransWest Express construction begins in Wyoming; site grading underway
Wyoming terminal site grading; Utah and Colorado segments progressing
Utah terminal site preparation (Millard County); interregional construction advances; wind project Phase I construction targeted to begin
Expected commercial operation date per CAISO interconnection queue (delayed from original 2024 target)
Potential Opposition Concerns
Wildlife Conservation Groups
MEDIUMConcerns about eagle mortality from turbine strikes and impacts to greater sage grouse habitat in southern Wyoming
Local Ranching Community
LOWSome local concerns about visual impacts and changes to ranching character, though project is on private Anschutz ranch land
Anti-Wind Advocacy
LOWGroups opposing wind energy development in Wyoming; concerns about industrialization of landscape and energy exports to California
Wildlife Concerns
Eagle Take Permits
Large wind projects in Wyoming require U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permits for incidental take of golden eagles. Project must demonstrate minimization of impacts through turbine curtailment, radar detection, and mitigation offsets.
Sage Grouse Habitat
Southern Wyoming is critical greater sage grouse habitat. Project design avoids core habitat areas, but some concern remains about indirect impacts on this candidate species for ESA listing.
Key Arguments Against
- Eagle and raptor mortality from wind turbine collisions at massive scale (600+ turbines)
- Greater sage grouse habitat fragmentation and disturbance
- Industrialization of undeveloped Wyoming rangeland landscape
- Power exported to California rather than benefiting Wyoming consumers
- Visual impacts of 600+ turbines on scenic southern Wyoming
- Dependency on TransWest Express transmission line completion
- Long-term surface disturbance on 320,000-acre ranch
Project Advantages
Private Land Siting
Entire wind farm on private Overland Trail Cattle Company ranch land, avoiding lengthy BLM permitting for generation facilities.
Class 6-7 Wind Resource
Among the best wind resources in North America; high capacity factors make economics compelling.
Wyoming Political Support
Strong state support for energy development; project creates thousands of construction jobs and permanent employment.
Paired Transmission
TransWest Express now under construction provides dedicated pathway to California/Nevada markets hungry for clean energy.
Project Statistics
Generation
Capacity: 3,000 MW
Annual Output: ~10.5 million MWh
Homes Powered: ~1 million
Climate Impact
CO2 Offset: 7-11 million tons/year
Turbines: ~600 (4-7 MW each)
Site: 320,000 acres
TransWest Express Transmission
Developer: TransWest Express LLC
Route: 732 miles from Rawlins, WY to Crystal substation near Las Vegas, NV
Capacity: 3,000 MW HVDC (Wyoming to Utah) + 1,500 MW AC (Utah to Nevada)
Status: Under construction (BLM Notice to Proceed April 2023)
Target: ~2025-2026 completion
Wyoming terminal directly connects to Chokecherry-Sierra Madre wind hub, enabling export to Nevada, California, and Arizona markets via WECC grid.