Lincoln County is working out the details with industrial siting associated with the Kemmerer Power Station. Lincoln County Commission Chief of Staff, Stephen Allen, explained the process, on the Weekday Wake-Up program.

“The biggest thing we have going is industrial siting with the Kemmerer Power Station, unit one. Industrial siting is an application by a large company. If their construction materials exceed $253 million dollars, then they have to apply for a permit through Wyoming DEQ. Then Wyoming DEQ notifies all of the cities and counties in the affected area. In this area Sweetwater, Unita and Lincoln and about 16 towns and cities were included.”

Allen has been coordinating the detailed process that includes a deadline, on behalf of the commission. “Our role as a county, is we have 90 days to put together a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with all of those entities. So, that we understand the impact assistance that is available, who gets what portion so it makes it easier when we go into the impact assistance phase,” Allen said. “So in that 90 days we work hard and we are in that 90 day period now because we have to have this wrapped up by Jan. 13. All of us have been working over the holiday and it has been interesting, for sure.”

For Allen, there is experience with previous industrial siting projects.

“We have already done three in this area, with Project West and Pacific Soda, both of those were trona projects in Sweetwater County, so all of us have gotten used to working with one another,” he said. “This is the third one we have had. In comparison, Converse county has done nine of these industrial sitings and Carbon county has done eight. We have talked to them and asked, what works, what doesn’t. “

As the latest project comes together, Allen has been reaching out to the various communities and districts that would be eligible for assistance. “Our goal on the commission side of it is to include as many entities as we can, he advised noting that a northern Lincoln County community may benefit, “This one will affect Afton and although they weren’t in the original map, we worked with the industry to include them, which they were very gracious to do. Industrial siting will include them as well.” He added, “Not that we expect a lot of workers to migrate from Afton to here, but in comparison, if we look at where the workers come into this area, Afton has 1.4 percent that come down and that’s the same percent that come from Mtn. View and Green River. They should be involved and we included them and we are glad that they are participating and want to be a part of the process.”

Allen acknowledged district in the southern part of the county that could benefit from the siting proposal. “We have also included some of the special districts, the joint powers waste water board in Kemmerer/Diamondville, and of course, South Lincoln Hospital. We asked Star Valley Hospital if they wanted to be involved and they politely declined as they see the greater impact being on the hospital down here. It’s great to see these entities as we sit down and say how are we going to work together, and when they come together and support one another, it’s great!”

Allen explained how the funds are distributed. “The biggest thing is we look at this is for all the communities in Lincoln County. Industrial impact is not just this initial money, which of course is spread out over the life of the project. This project is going to be six to nine months, so each community that is on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will get a portion each month over those periods as long as construction is continuing. If they halt construction the payments stop. It’s not really guaranteed money but it will be nice when it comes in to offset some of those impacts.”

Allen also noted the benefits that come from material purchases with the construction. “The real big thing, is because it’s in Lincoln County and it’s based on construction materials, then we have what is called, a point of delivery. So as those materials come into Lincoln County all those sales taxes help Lincoln County and it’s associated cities.” He added, “So every city, Star Valley Ranch, Thayne, Alpine, as well as Afton and the five cities down below here are really going to benefit. The estimation on that is about $5 million extra a year, each year for five years. Sales tax is divided up by population. So, we are really looking at how industry in South Lincoln County affects the Upper and Lower Valley, and why it is important to include them.”

Allen concluded by noting the cooperation in the county and the help from neighboring Sweetwater County. “It’s been a great learning experience for everyone in the county and the entities going through the process. They have been very gracious. In this project, Sweetwater County really came out and supported us. None of their cities asked for any impact whatsoever out of this project and that was a show of support to Lincoln County in recognizing the impact that the Kemmerer Power Station is going to have on us. So, I thank them for that.”