Wind Farm Tax Deal Hits Converse County Revenue

DOUGLAS, Wyo. (AP) — A property tax settlement between Wyoming and Duke Energy will result in less tax revenue for Converse County.

The Wyoming Department of Revenue originally valued Duke's Top of the World wind farm near Glenrock at nearly $415 million.

Duke contested that value, saying a more accurate figure was $225 million. After negotiations, the department and Duke now agree that the property tax valuation should be just under $270 million.

The Associated Press reports  the change will reduce tax revenue by $800,000 a year for Converse County and the county's library, hospital, solid waste and school districts.

The final appraisal reduces the project's total taxable value from $47 million to $34 million and Duke's annual tax bill from $2.9 million to $2.1 million.