The state of Wyoming has the strongest sustained winds in the United States. This resource provides an opportunity for the demand for clean, efficient, and sustainable wind energy. Our team is proud to have been part of the original development team alongside Founder and Visionary Jeff Myer, creating the Pathfinder Master Plan – a groundbreaking initiative, marking a first in the industry. After a comprehensive resource analysis, stakeholder engagement process and subsequent GIS mapping, Five Guiding Principles were created that formed the foundation for the Master Plan providing for the unmatched stewardship in harnessing Wyoming’s wind resources.
Five Guiding Principles
- Wildlife, Habitat & Watershed Protection
- Public Recreation
- Cultural Resource Protection & Education
- Community Engagement
- Visual Resource Protection
The Master Plan maximized wind development in the most appropriate locations considering each of the Guiding Principles through public interaction, environmental inventories and employing the most technologically advanced planning, design, and engineering techniques available. Originally envisioned at 2,100 MW, the Pathfinder Wind Project footprint evolved to pinpoint optimal wind zones overlaying lands of lower environmental sensitivity. As the project unfolded, the primary zones of development shifted to include existing managed ranch properties. This strategic shift not only minimized environmental impacts but also promised future wind leases, providing a reliable, long-term income source for ranch owners. can provide additional long-term sources of income for the ranch owners.
The Wildlife, Habitat and Watershed and Protection program was further developed into the Sweetwater River Conservancy, a mitigation bank and conservation program now known as the Pathfinder Ranches. Many of the initial properties have seamlessly integrated into this science-based conservation approach, dedicated to restoring and safeguarding the diverse biological communities associated with energy development in Wyoming.
Of additional interest, the project also ventured into the realm of a distinctive energy storage system. unique energy storage system. Electricity generated by Pathfinder wind turbines will be transmitted to Utah, where it will power compressors injecting air into underground salt domes. In time of peak electric demand, compressed air drives turbines that regenerates electricity on-demand.
