Rail Tie Wind Project

09/29/2022

One of ConnectGen’s core values is to support the communities in which we are developing projects. We look for opportunities to establish meaningful relationships that translate into long-term partnerships with local organizations, schools, and community members. We are thrilled to be a Trailblazer sponsor for the Pilot Hill Community Celebration to commemorate the opening of the Pilot Hill Recreation & Wildlife Habitat Management Area: https://pilothill.org/

The event is taking place Friday, September 30 at 6 pm at the Alice Hardie Stevens Center. If there’s an upcoming event or sponsorship opportunity we should participate in, please let us know!

Providing open space, clean water, & public access in the Laramie foothills Plan now to join us for our community celebration! September 30, 2022 6:00 – 9:30 pm Music, Games, Dinner, Raffle Alice Hardie Stevens Center Tickets: $30 adults · $50 couple · $10 youth Questions? pilothillproject@gmail...

07/23/2022

We’re pleased to share that Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) approving two interconnection requests associated with our Rail Tie Wind Project, a proposed 504 MW wind energy generation project located in Albany County, Wyoming. WAPA’s ROD issuance adds to the roster of major federal, state, and local approvals obtained by the project, and we thank the WAPA staff for their efforts and thoughtful review over the past two and a half years. At 504 MW, the Rail Tie Wind Project will meaningfully contribute to our country’s growing renewable energy needs.

To see the full ROD, please click here:

06/13/2022

We are excited to announce the winners of ConnectGen's annual Sustainable Future Scholarship, which is awarded to a graduating senior in Albany County who will pursue further education to address climate change and other environmental challenges. This year we selected two well-deserving winners – Thomas Faber will be studying International Studies at University of Wyoming and Isabel Naschold will be studying Environmental Economics at Colorado State University. We wish them the best of luck!

03/07/2022

ConnectGen Sustainable Future Scholarship

We are excited to announce that it’s scholarship time again! ConnectGen is providing an annual scholarship of $1,500 to support a graduating Albany County high school senior who intends to pursue further education to address climate change and other environmental challenges.

Submissions are due by April 30, 2022. To learn about the eligibility and submission requirements, please visit: https://www.railtiewind.com/scholarship/.

01/12/2022

12/08/2021

For more information on what is incorporated into the Rail Tie Wind Project’s Final Environmental Impact Statement and the steps ConnectGen is taking to mitigate any potential impacts, check out this article in the Laramie Boomerang:

The federal permitting process for the Rail Tie Wind Project is nearing completion with the recent publishing of a final environmental impact statement.

11/22/2021

We are excited to announce that last Friday, the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) published its Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Rail Tie Wind Project. The Final EIS will serve to inform WAPA's Record of Decision, which they plan to publish in early 2022. This Record of Decision will conclude the NEPA review process for the project.

Visit WAPA's website to read a copy of the final EIS:

​​Comments on scoping the EIS effort may be made verbally to project representatives at the scoping meetings, but WAPA suggests providing comments in writing so that they are fully understood and become part of the project administrative record. Written comments on scoping the EIS can be provi...

10/11/2021

ConnectGen has partnered with the Laramie Public Arts Coalition (LPAC) to donate a multi-year gift on behalf of the Rail Tie Wind Project. Founded in 2014, LPAC works to enhance the culture and quality of life in Laramie and Albany County while engaging residents and visitors. This five-year commitment will enable LPAC to fully focus on supporting local art and artists. To read more about LPAC’s community efforts, click here:

The Laramie Public Art Coalition recently announced a five-year gift from ConnectGen that will fund the coalition’s operational expenses.

07/26/2021

We are thrilled that last week, the Industrial Siting Council voted 5-1 to approve the Rail Tie Wind Project. This means we have now secured both county and state approval, which would not have been possible without the time and commitment of our supporters over the past year – THANK YOU ALL! We are continuing to progress through the federal NEPA process, and we look forward to bringing the project closer to construction.

07/15/2021

We are thrilled with Tuesday’s vote by the Albany County Commissioners to approve the Rail Tie Wind Project Application for Wind Energy Conversion System Permit. We have been working with the leadership and residents of Albany County and Wyoming since 2019, and we want to thank the Albany County Commission for its diligent and thoughtful review of our application. We look forward to continuing to work with all local stakeholders to advance the Rail Tie Wind Project, which will generate tens of millions of dollars in new tax revenues, create hundreds of jobs, and increase demand for local businesses and hospitality services in Albany County. To read more about the Commission’s decision, click here:

The Albany County Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 Tuesday night to approve ConnectGen’s application for a wind energy conversion systems permit for the Rail Tie Wind Project.

07/12/2021

Don Jones is an avid outdoorsman who was born and raised in Laramie. As a young adult with a stake in the future of Laramie’s local economy and environment, this guest column outlines why he supports the Rail Tie Wind Project:

The Albany County Commission will decide next week whether to permit the Rail Tie Wind Project south of Laramie. This seemingly obvious decision (yes!) has been complicated by a small