The state will offer about 162,000 acres of state lands for wind energy development.

Last week, the State Lands and Investments Board -- which consists of the state’s top five elected officials -- agreed to move forward with a request for a proposal seeking wind energy projects on 16 separate state parcels across six Wyoming counties.

"We chose places we felt had the least amount of conflict as a way to direct (wind energy) to areas where they are more appropriate, and as a way to increase our potential for revenue," said Butch Parks, commercial leasing specialist with the Office of State Lands and Investments.

Parks said the proposal is currently being drafted. When completed, the proposal will be sent out to about 30 wind energy developers that have already expressed interest in Wyoming, as well as any others that might be interested.

Parks said the 16 state land parcels were chosen for their potential wind resource as well as minimum environmental impacts. The department may refine the current list of parcels further.

Contact energy reporter Dustin Bleizeffer at 307-577-6069 or dustin.bleizeffer@trib.com. Go to http://tribtown.trib.com/DustinBleizeffer/blog to read Dustin’s energy blog