Study: Wind could mean big money for Wyoming

Wind energy development could bring thousands of jobs and billions of dollars to Wyoming over the next decade, according to a federal report.

The analysis, conducted by analysts at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, examines the economic impact of Wyoming wind energy development, construction of the power lines needed to transport electricity out of state, and the growth of natural gas power generation, commonly used to back up wind energy sources.

During the next decade, that development may create 47,000 jobs, pay $2.6 billion in wages and benefits and pump $5.1 billion into the state’s economy, said Eric Lantz, a research analyst with the laboratory. The study, released Tuesday, only examined one version of the next decade of wind energy and infrastructure development.

By JEREMY FUGLEBERG Star-Tribune energy reporter trib.com

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