Crazy mountain wind project faces legal and environmental hurdles

The battle over wind farming in Montana pits struggling ranchers against wealthy landowners and environmental concerns.

Illustration by Yifei Fang

By Hayu Andini and Adila Ghina

The Crazies: The Cattleman, the Wind Prospector, and a War Out West, by Amy Gamerman

The title "wind prospector" conjures an image of an energetic entrepreneur, eager to transform the power of wind into electricity and profit. In Amy Gamerman's The Crazies, we meet such a figure—Marty Wilde—a wind prospector who embarks on a mission to harness Montana’s powerful winds for a wind farming project. However, Wilde’s ambitious vision faces not only natural hurdles but also resistance from the region's wealthy landowners and environmental concerns.

The Crazy Mountains, located in southwestern Montana, have been the source of much admiration and conflict for centuries. Long ago, the Crow and Cheyenne tribes fought over the region’s prime hunting grounds, and more recently, railroad men and ranchers sought to claim the land for their own. As the West grew and transformed, the area became known for its rugged beauty and remote, untouched landscapes, making it an ideal location for both cattle ranching and, more recently, wind farming.

In 2004, Marty Wilde, a self-described "wind prospector," entered the scene with a bold plan. Montana is home to some of the most reliable wind patterns in the Lower 48 states, and Wilde, with his entrepreneurial spirit, believed that the winds of the Crazy Mountains could provide a solution to the financial struggles of local ranchers. His vision was simple: use the wind to generate electricity and create an economic boon for struggling ranchers like Rick Jarrett, a fifth-generation cattleman facing financial difficulties on his 2,000-acre spread.

Wilde's enthusiasm was infectious. He toured the Jarrett ranch and, upon seeing the ideal wind conditions, declared, "I think we can make something happen here." The wind in this area, blowing at an average speed of 18 miles per hour, was perfect for wind turbines. If successful, the project could erase Jarrett’s debts and provide a much-needed financial boost for his family. But while Wilde saw an opportunity for success, others saw a threat to their property values, lifestyles, and local ecosystems.

The Crazy Mountain Wind project quickly became a battleground between wealthy landowners and those who believed in the economic and environmental potential of wind energy. In the years following Wilde's initial proposal, opposition grew, particularly from landowners like Russell Gordy, an oil and gas billionaire who owned around 200,000 acres of land in Montana. Gordy had purchased 40,000 acres near the Crazy Mountains for $40 million and had no interest in seeing wind turbines disrupt his views. He, along with other wealthy ranchers and investors, such as Las Vegas lawyer David Chesnoff, opposed the wind farm on the grounds that the turbines would ruin the pristine views of their sprawling estates.

Gordy, who owned private jets and helicopters, epitomized the divide between the struggling ranchers and the wealthy landowners who treated the land as a luxury, not a livelihood. The turbines, which would have been 495 feet tall—nearly twice the height of Montana’s tallest building—represented an eyesore to those who saw their mountain retreats as a sanctuary from the everyday world.

While the affluent landowners feared the turbines would lower property values and interfere with their idyllic surroundings, the ranchers like Jarrett were looking at a much more dire situation. For them, the wind farm represented a potential financial lifeline that could help them escape the crushing burden of debt. Without it, they risked losing their land altogether. Jarrett’s hopes of passing his ranch along to his children seemed increasingly unlikely without a source of steady income, such as wind energy.

In addition to the wealthy landowners, environmental concerns also played a role in the opposition. Local Native American groups, including the Crow tribe, viewed the Crazy Mountains as sacred ground and opposed the turbines on the grounds that they would desecrate this culturally significant land. The region’s unique wildlife, including eagles, also became a point of contention. Critics of the project warned that the turbines would pose a threat to bird populations, with some predicting that eagles would fly into the blades and be killed, likening the turbines to "Cuisinarts" for birds.

The legal and bureaucratic hurdles involved in building a wind farm are significant, and the Crazy Mountain Wind project was no exception. As Wilde and his team sought to move forward, they faced an array of regulatory challenges. The process of securing approval for a wind farm requires extensive studies on wind patterns, environmental impacts, and the potential effects on local wildlife. Additionally, public hearings and commission meetings are often required, where opponents can voice their objections.

Gamerman’s book provides an insightful look into the frustrating and often slow-moving process of gaining approval for renewable energy projects. In the case of the Crazy Mountain Wind project, this included a series of public hearings, data mapping, and environmental impact studies, all of which delayed the project for years. While these regulatory processes are necessary to ensure that wind farms are environmentally responsible, they also serve as a barrier for those seeking to develop renewable energy solutions.

Legal challenges, such as lawsuits from opposing landowners, also further delayed the project. The first major legal obstacle came when the oligarchs—wealthy landowners like Gordy and Chesnoff—filed a lawsuit to halt the project. Their arguments were persuasive to a judge, who issued an injunction that delayed the project’s progress. As Gamerman writes, the opposition from these powerful landowners ultimately “took the wind out of Crazy Mountain Wind’s sails.” The legal battles drained the resources of the developers and made it increasingly difficult to secure financing for the project.

One of the most compelling aspects of The Crazies is its portrayal of the cultural divide between the wealthy landowners and the struggling ranchers. Wilde’s wind project represented more than just a business opportunity—it was a lifeline for ranchers who had long been at the mercy of a volatile agricultural market. The wind turbines, with their potential to generate steady income, were seen as a solution to financial instability and the ever-present threat of losing their family land.

In contrast, the wealthy landowners viewed the turbines as a disruption to their carefully cultivated lifestyles. To them, the land was not just a source of income—it was a symbol of status and luxury. The idea that these turbines, which would tower over the landscape, might be built on land they considered their private domain was unthinkable.

Gamerman’s vivid descriptions of the characters involved—whether it’s Gordy with his collection of helicopters or the colorful legal battles waged by David Chesnoff—underscore the stark contrast between these two worlds. While the ranchers dream of a windfall that would allow them to purchase better cattle or improve their operations, the billionaires are concerned with maintaining their privileged position, unbothered by the struggles of those below them.

The tragic end of the crazy mountain wind project

Despite the fervent efforts of Wilde and his supporters, the Crazy Mountain Wind project was ultimately derailed. In 2017, Wilde tragically died in a tractor accident, further complicating the future of the project. The legal challenges continued, and in 2019, the project suffered a major blow when the court ruled in favor of the opposition, effectively halting the development of the turbines. The wealthy landowners had won their battle, and the turbines were never built.

Gamerman’s book ends with the death of Rick Jarrett in 2023, a poignant reminder of the human cost of these battles. Jarrett, who had struggled with Parkinson’s disease for years, never lived to see the wind farm that could have saved his family’s ranching legacy.

While the Crazy Mountain Wind project may have failed, its story is part of a larger conversation about the future of renewable energy in the U.S. and the challenges that come with transitioning to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. The failure of the project highlights the resistance that renewable energy faces, particularly when it comes into conflict with the interests of powerful landowners and environmental concerns.

However, Gamerman’s conclusion is clear: every wind project, no matter how small, is essential in the fight against climate change. As the planet faces the growing threat of environmental destruction, including droughts, wildfires, and rising sea levels, the need for renewable energy solutions has never been more urgent.

Wind energy, along with solar and other renewable sources, will play a critical role in meeting global climate goals. Yet, as the Crazy Mountain saga demonstrates, the path to a greener future is fraught with challenges—challenges that can only be overcome through collaboration, compromise, and an unwavering commitment to the greater good.

The Crazy Mountain Wind project may have faltered, but it is far from the last wind energy project to face opposition and scrutiny. Montana, with its vast, open spaces and reliable wind patterns, remains one of the most promising locations for wind farming in the United States. However, as the Crazy Mountain saga demonstrates, these projects will continue to face resistance from local communities, environmental activists, and powerful landowners.

As the U.S. works toward meeting its climate goals, the need for renewable energy will continue to grow. Whether wind farms in Montana or elsewhere, these projects will require careful planning, rigorous legal battles, and the ability to navigate the complex intersection of economic interests, environmental concerns, and local politics. The journey to a cleaner, more sustainable future will not be easy, but it is one that must be undertaken for the sake of future generations.

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