WHEATLAND – The proposed NextEra wind energy project in Chugwater continues to take center stage at public meetings. The health of Platte County residents, but especially those living in Chugwater was a key component during recent agenda topics. The preservation of Platte County’s historic agriculture and cattle production industry as well as the project being seen as a blight on the rural beauty of the area has also been a passionate argument against the project. The reliability of renewable energy and the ethics of the proposed project are also being questioned.
Terry Baker, a current resident in Goshen County and longtime landowner in Chugwater, voiced strong opposition at a recent commissioner meeting. Terry Baker referenced the same project proposals that had taken place in Goshen County and suggested the commissioners use the people there as reference to serious opposition to so-called green energy projects.
Terry Baker cited safety concerns such as wind tower fires and blade malfunctions in addition to health risks and the inefficiency of wind energy, despite her family previously signing several leases with NextEra that have now expired. When questioned about the previous leases, Terry Baker defended her stance by stating she had spent much more time looking into it than she previously had.
“We learned more about it,” Terry Baker said, “and now I’m against every part of it.”
Baker urged Platte County to adopt stricter regulations than Goshen County, also stating her belief that the current regulations are too similar to state-level standards and not tailored enough to address local concerns or needs.’’
A short debate emerged over how much weight should be given to absentee landowners’ opinions, as Terry Baker herself is an absentee landowner. Terry Baker stated that residents should have more influence since they will have to live with the consequences of a project of this kind.
Commissioner Ian Jolovich countered, property rights are equal regardless of residency. He emphasized the commissioners will treating all stakeholders fairly.
Terry Baker expressed concern that Chugwater residents could become “the endangered species” due to the project’s potential health and environmental effects, emphasizing the importance of being good stewards of the land and listening to those directly affected. For example, the Prairie View School in Chugwater is within three miles of the proposed project site.
Commissioner Jeb Baker presented a sheaf of documents that included multiple lease agreements between Terry Baker’s family and companies like Pacific Wind, LLC, PPM Energy and NextEra, inquiring what prompted the shift in supporting and accepting money from these companies to vehemently opposing them now.
Terry Baker reiterated that her change in stance came after deeper research into the technology which she no longer trusts is green or efficient.
Commission chair Steve Shockley asked if the change of heart was government-influenced or neighbor-influenced, to which Terry Baker responded “I made up my own mind.”
Shockley attempted to point out with the question: government was not “guilty” of mandating or forcing the acceptance of wind energy projects, nor was Terry Baker was being swayed by a neighboring contingency of landowners.
After a hypothetical scenario was raised regarding the harm of livestock or children by wind energy projects, Jolovich explained that in such cases (whether they were wind energy cases or other “injury” cases), legal recourse through civil court would be the appropriate and expected action, as demonstrated in a Colorado (Calhan, El Paso County) lawsuit against NextEra.
Terry Baker responded by saying, “the civil court action happens only after damage occurs.”
To which Jolovich answered, “you can’t claim damages before they occur.”
Shockley put the responsibility for the safety of such projects firmly at the door of state agencies stating, if health concerns are identified, state agencies will recommend mitigation strategies such as setbacks.
Rounding out the discussion, Shockley referenced a petition which circulated in 2011 opposing government regulations to support property rights. He then contrasted that petition with the current petition advocating for more government oversight, noting that some individuals had signed both the 2011 petition as well as the current anti-wind energy petition. Shockley felt the petitions were in direct opposition as one asked for less government involvement (2011) and the other asked for more.
“Sometimes individuals sign petitions without fully understanding them,” Shockley said, “as one man may say, ‘Well, I signed because he did.’”
Terry Baker assured Shockley, the opposition to the NextEra project “know what they are signing.”
Finally, commissioner Baker outlined the commissioners’ commitment to operating by their guiding principles: truth, fairness, accountability, transparency and respect for differing opinions. “These are the values we live by everyday for those who have entrusted us with leadership,” he said.
An impromptu poll of those present at the meeting (a full house with overflow into the hallway) asked those opposed to stand if they were opposed to the NextEra project. About two-thirds of those present stood.
The commissioners were asked point-blank if any of them had any financial benefit or ties to NextEra, to which all responded with a resounding, “No.”
To date, NextEra Energy Resources has not applied to the county for any form of permit regarding the proposed Chugwater Energy Project, as confirmed with county clerk Malcolm Ervin on Friday, Oct. 31, meaning even if an application was turned in this week, the earliest it could possibly be heard is in 2026.
