Getting closer to reaching carbon neutral goalsLaramie is one step closer to reaching its carbon neutral goals and that’s good news for the environment and our community. Last week, the City Council approved a lease agreement that could put 160 megawatts of solar energy right at our doorstep, enough to meet 100% of Laramie’s energy demand. This could make Laramie the first town in Wyoming to be entirely powered by renewable energy, something the Alliance for Renewable Energy (a local citizen advocacy group) has been working towards for over a year.

There is no doubt that a development of this size will come with its own challenges. The city can and should negotiate with the developer and the utility to ensure that the electricity is accessible to Laramie customers and to allow the city to utilize that energy to meet its carbon reduction goals. City counselors should also take this opportunity to evaluate new and future contracts and agreements so that our wildlife and water resources are protected and make certain that adjacent landowners are at the table during the earliest conversations regarding the facilities’ construction.

comments powered by Disqus