Wyoming Business: Wind, sludge might be keys to energy crunch

CHEYENNE — Two pilot power projects in the Cheyenne area will soon be demonstrating how communities can produce additional electricity in environmentally friendly ways from renewable resources — wind and sludge gas.

The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources recently utilized a U.S. Department of Energy grant to install a unique Wyoming-designed wind turbine at Curt Gowdy State Park west of Cheyenne.

While harnessing Wyoming’s abundant wind is hardly a novel idea, the vertical-axis wind turbine that was installed is a new twist, as is the thought of installing a wind turbine in a park setting.

The 20-kilowatt vertical-axis wind turbine is manufactured by Terra Moya Aqua Inc., a Cheyenne-based company that produces wind generators that are an alternative to the traditional tower and blade construction. The turbines resemble buildings and are easily screened, reducing the risk of birds flying into the bladed area.

Gov. Jim Geringer said putting a wind turbine in a state park should demonstrate the advantages “of using clean, environmentally benign, renewable power.”

Meanwhile, the Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities has received a DOE grant to install and test a microturbine generator to convert wastewater sludge gas into power at one of its wastewater-treatment plants.

The 30-kilowatt generator should be able to produce enough electricity to reduce costs at BOPU’s Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant by about 10 percent, or about $9,000 to $10,000 a year, according to Jack Young, the department’s wastewater-treatment manager.

Microturbine generators were first developed to burn sour gas in the oil fields but have great potential for use by sewage-treatment facilities that reduce wastes by anaerobic digestion that produces sludge gasses. This is believed to be the first test of one using sludge gas.

“If we’re successful with this project, there are wastewater-treatment plants all across the country that could use this technology and save significantly on electricity costs,´ said Young.

Funding for both programs was obtained from DOE by the state energy program in the Wyoming Business Council.

‘Green’ towers recommended

LARAMIE — As telecommunications towers spring up around Wyoming to keep pace with technology, some public officials are debating how to gauge their impact on the environment.

On June 19 the Albany County Planning and Zoning Commission considered regulations saying the towers “must not be located in environmentally sensitive areas” such as wetlands, floodplains, critical wildlife habitat and wildlife corridors.

The planning commissioners ended up approving an amended version requiring applicants to submit a letter from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department stating that it had “no concern about the site from an environmental and wildlife standpoint.”

The measure now goes to the Albany County Commissioners, who are expected to call for public comments and schedule a hearing before acting.

Schroll unrolls new look

CHEYENNE — Schroll Cabinets has a whole new look — a new logo, new literature and new cabinet offerings.

Founded in 1974, the family business has grown from a father-and-son workshop to a custom hardwood-cabinet manufacturer that employs 70 people in Cheyenne and 20 in its Fort Collins, Denver and Colorado Springs showrooms.

Plans for an 8,000-square-foot addition to the production facility have recently been completed, with construction to begin sometime in 2001.

“Our sales have grown every year,´ said President John Schroll. “We have a reputation for the highest quality throughout the Rocky Mountain region. It was time to update our look to better reflect that reputation.”

Schroll was one of the first cabinetmakers in the nation to use computerized technology in its manufacturing process, yet workers still hand rub stains to ensure the most even finish. The company’s new slogan is “custom designed, locally crafted.”

J.C. Penney back downtown

LARAMIE — Nine years after it moved its store to a location near the Grand Avenue approach to Interstate 80, J.C. Penney has a foothold in downtown Laramie once more.

It was on October 10, 1992, that the Wyoming-born department-store chain closed its establishment at 409 S. 2nd Street in the heart of town. That space is now occupied by Star Tek, a technical-support firm.

In April, J.C. Penney closed the store to which it moved — at 3322 E. Grand Avenue — and advertised for a franchise holder to keep its mail-order department open.

Mel Zenoni, owner of Aspen Appliance, received the franchise. Zenoni’s wife, Margaret, will be taking mail orders at their office at 417 S. 2nd — two doors away from the old Penney’s store.

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