Platte County Residents File Complaint Against Commissioners Over NextEra Energy Project

A complaint filed on Dec. 1 by Platte County residents against the county commissioners alleges misconduct related to a wind energy project by NextEra Energy Resources. The complaint, signed by nearly two dozen individuals, claims that commissioners Steve Shockley, Ian Jolovich, and Jeb Baker acted improperly to favor the project while disadvantaging its opponents.

It accuses them of malfeasance, neglect of duty, and failure to file required campaign-finance reports. Additionally, the complaint raises concerns about a July 15 meeting organized by NextEra, which excluded the press and public.

The commissioners were invited as decision-makers, leading to questions about open meeting laws. This marks the fourth complaint against county officials in Wyoming in the past year, with some viewing it as a growing trend in response to dissatisfaction with local governance. The governor's office is reviewing the allegations, emphasizing the importance of addressing them carefully.