I was happy to see so many community members at the forum last night sponsored by the county. I find it interesting that Tasco Engineering (the Utah company pushing for the White Mountain Wind Energy Project) has hired a PR FIRM (Pilmer PR out of Utah) in a desperate attempt to salvage their project. They know the majority of the community is highly opposed to their massive wind farm they are wanting to put in our backyards. Why the need for a PR firm? The facts speak for themselves. We as a community are smart enough to know what this will do to our land and community.

In fact, as everyone entered the room, a representative from Tasco (the son of the president of the company) was handing out fliers with their propaganda about this project, not doubt prepared by their PR firm. Further, Tasco had large signs up in the room with their data and pictures and reasons why they think this project is so great.

And yet, it was stressed by the moderator, Al Harris, that this meeting was not about the White Mountain Wind Project, and we were instructed not to ask questions specifically about their project. Hmmmm.

I oppose the project due to adverse environmental, aesthetic and public safety impacts it will have on our community. Although renewable energy is important, this project is not right for our community. Wind power does not in fact live up to the claims made by its advocates, and its impact on the environment and people's lives is far from benign.

There will be 240 turbine towers, standing two stories taller than the Statue of Liberty spanning the area from Cruel Jack’s to 14 mile. They will be a permanent blemish on the landscape with their flashing red lights and whirring, 150-foot spanning blades.


Wind energy is expensive, inefficient, unreliable, noisy, and is visual pollution.

This project will be seen for 30 miles all around the 13,000 acres they are trying to build it on.

Our community will not be getting any of the power generated by the 240+ turbines.

Property values will decrease. This project is an eyesore and will dominate the scenic and natural views of the city from miles around.

The original request made by Tasco Engineering was for 36 turbines (for which they paid the county $100 million). The request has now ballooned to 240. I guarantee this number will continue to climb.

Migratory birds and animals will be adversely affected. The birds, bats, wild horses, elk and other animals will be affected by the construction process and hundreds of structures in their habitats as there will be extensive road clearing and building for years. Massive destruction of wild habitat and plant life will continue with the presence of access roads, power lines, transformers, and the towers themselves.

Erosion concerns and possible disruption of water flow from drilling into the bedrock to build the towers.

The Mt. Wind Phase I and II projects near Fort Bridger, WY were done by Tasco. Have you ever driven by those? There are only a handful of turbines working at given given time, and Gary Tassainer (president of Tasco) admitted at last night's meeting that they are having problems with the recently completed project in that several of the turbines are non-operational due to problems.

The "life of the project" was set at 25-30 years by Tasco. Rock Springs will then be left with 240+ outdated, non-functioning wind turbines. These are depreciating machines.

There is no substantial evidence that indicates wind turbines will replace or even reduce or slow the growth and use of coal or nuclear power. Wind farms use huge expanses of land for little energy output.

Tasco's figures of tax revenue and jobs were said by some (namely the Sweetwater County Treasurer) at the meeting to be grossly inflated.

Did you notice that the very first thing Gary Tassainer talked about during his presentation last night was MONEY. I don't feel he has our community's best interest at heart. He's out to make money. It's as simple as that.

I have great concerns with its proximity near the scenic landmark (and tourist attraction) Pilot Butte and the Wild Horse Loop Tour. Access to White Mountain will be all but shut off if this project goes up. 120,000 people a year enjoy the Wild Horse Loop.

Commercial wind power does not belong in this community.

I urge each and every one of you who cares about your community and environment to take a stand.

Educate yourselves on this project, and what it will do to our landscape, animals, birds, lifestyle, community, tourism, and our viewshed.

White Mountain is too important to sell out to an energy company from Utah looking to capitalize on a windy city.

Once our mountain is gone, it’s gone forever.

Please write to or call the county commissioners, the Rocket Miner, our senators and representative, local authorities, and allow your voice to be heard.

The next meeting is on June 30, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at the Rock Springs City Council.

I will update this as often as I can, and as new information becomes known. Please, please join those of us who strongly oppose this project in stopping it.