Environmental Impact

The Pronghorn H2 Project, which includes a wind farm, solar installation, and hydrogen refinery near Glenrock, Wyoming, presents serious and far-reaching environmental risks that cannot be ignored. Although promoted as a clean energy solution, the project’s footprint threatens some of the most sensitive and ecologically important areas in the region. 

The construction and operation of wind turbines in the proposed area will significantly disrupt wildlife habitats — particularly those of birds and bats, which are vulnerable to turbine-related mortality. Both experimental camera-based systems or painting one of the turbines black, are unproven mitigations at this time. these efforts remain unreliable and unproven. Of particular concern is the presence of endangered and protected species such as Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, and Peregrine Falcons, whose habitats fall directly within or adjacent to the project zone.

The area slated for wind development is also a prime wintering ground for mule deer and pronghorn antelope. Years of habitat restoration work, including the enhancement of mountain mahogany stands by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, risk being undone by industrial development. The solar farm site lies within key migratory corridors, further jeopardizing avian populations that rely on undisturbed flyways.

Beyond its impact on animal species, the proposed solar and hydrogen development would harm diverse plant life and aquatic ecosystems. The construction of access roads, turbine pads, buildings, and pipelines would result in the destruction of natural vegetation and soil — changes that are permanent and often impossible to restore. The proximity of the solar farm and hydrogen plant to the North Platte River raises serious concerns about the potential impact on fish habitats, wetlands, and waterfowl nesting grounds.

These lands are not just ecologically rich — they’re part of the broader environmental fabric that supports agriculture, recreation, and the overall biodiversity of central Wyoming.

The environmental risks of the Pronghorn H2 Project are not confined to its initial construction. Long after the first turbines spin, the cumulative damage will continue: habitat fragmentation, species displacement, and changes in soil and water composition can create cascading effects that last for generations. Moreover, the industrialization of these lands undermines years of conservation work, local stewardship, and the natural heritage of the area.