Wind and Solar Sound Good—But Not Like This

On paper, wind and solar energy seem like a great idea. Clean, green, renewable—what’s not to like? But when you look closer at the Sidewinder H2 Project, it’s clear that this isn’t your average wind or solar setup.

We’re talking massive industrial development across thousands of acres of open land. Dozens—possibly hundreds—of turbines. Rows and rows of solar panels. New access roads. Fencing. Substations. And it’s all being built in places that were never meant to be industrialized.

This Isn’t “Clean” for the Land

Once these projects go in, the land is never the same. Native vegetation is scraped away. Soil gets compacted. Wildlife corridors are blocked. It’s a permanent transformation of open rangeland into an energy zone—and there’s no real plan for what happens when the infrastructure is no longer useful.

Wind Turbines Aren’t Small

These towers are over 500 feet tall with spinning blades the length of a football field. They’re loud, they light up the night sky, and they dominate the landscape. That might work in remote deserts or already-industrial areas—but it’s not a natural fit for the wide-open prairies of Niobrara County.

Big Energy, Small Local Benefit

Projects like this often promise jobs and revenue—but the long-term benefits to local communities are often limited, while the visual, environmental, and cultural costs stick around for decades.