Higher Wyoming Wind Tax Could Kill Project

RAWLINS, Wyo. (AP) — The company proposing a 1,000-turbine wind farm in Carbon County worries that increasing Wyoming's tax on wind generation could derail the project.

Members of the Legislature's Joint Revenue Committee are discussing two proposals that would raise wind taxes. One plan would increase the tax per megawatt hour of wind produced in Wyoming, while the other would require wind companies to give up a portion of a tax credit they receive from the federal government.

The discussion comes as Power Company of Wyoming continues to seek permits for its proposed Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project south of Rawlins.

Roxanne Perruso is vice president and general counsel for Power Company of Wyoming.

She says talk about increasing the tax puts the project at risk.