RMFU Transmission Corridor Workshop in Cheyenne, Nov. 17

At 3 p.m on November 17, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union will host a public meeting at Cheyenne Little America to examine the problem of creating transmission corridors to deliver renewable energy to customers eager for this clean energy.

The panel will be moderated by former PUC commissioner Ron Lehr. Speakers include Craig Knoell (Transmission Infrastructure Manager for the Western Area Power Administration), Loyd Drain (Executive Director of the Wyoming Infrastructure Authority), Brent Orr (President, Cornerstone Transco) and RMFU Director of Renewable Energy Development Bill Midcap.

The panel will look at obstacles and challenges to corridor development. It will offer a new model for cooperative corridor development that includes landowners in the research and development process, provides those in the corridor with fair compensation for the use of their property, and promises to facilitate the build-out necessary if we are to shift our energy use to clean, renewable sources.

Craig Knoell will provide an update on WAPA’s existing transmission infrastructure plan, and Loyd Drain will discuss implications of transmission issues in Wyoming. Bill Midcap will introduce an RMFU white paper on landowner alliances to facilitate corridor development through collective bargaining and annual payments for corridor easements. Brent Orr will discuss his experiences putting into action the ideas presented in the white paper.

The white paper (click for PDF), prepared by the RMFU Foundation’s Renewable Energy Development Center, will be distributed at the panel, which will begin at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17. This event is open to the public.