CASPER, Wyo. — Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon’s Office said in a press release Thursday that the governor has helped broker a deal with PacifiCorp to keep Jim Bridger Power Plant Unit 2 operational past April 30. “The agreement provides that Wyoming will agree to PacifiCorp’s planned conversion of Jim Bridger Units 1 and 2 to […]
Energy
Posted inEnergy
PAW: BLM’s failure to hold oil and gas lease sales deprives Wyoming of ~$47M since January 2021
CASPER, Wyo. — The Petroleum Association of Wyoming (PAW) on Wednesday criticized the Bureau of Land Management under President Joe Biden for not holding oil and gas lease sales for five consecutive quarters. PAW’s press release said that the BLM failed to issue a notice for a competitive oil and gas lease sale ahead of […]
Posted inLegislature
Gordon: ‘Mr. Biden, tear up your energy policy. Let Wyoming power our country’
CASPER, Wyo. — Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon delivered his “State of the State” message to the Wyoming Legislature on Monday, February 14 as the legislature convened its 2022 budget session, highlighting aspects of his proposals for the state’s new biennium budget. On the topic of energy, Gordon spoke critically of the administration of President Joe […]
Posted inCommunity
Stakeholders hint at deal to avoid partial Jim Bridger plant shutdown
Shifting calculations over three different administrations overseeing EPA contributed to a standoff over regional haze and the Jim Bridger coal plant. Dustin Bleizeffer, WyoFile Stakeholders are working behind the scenes to strike a compromise that avoids a federal shutdown of two coal-burning units at the Jim Bridger power plant, according to parties involved. Hundreds of […]
Posted inCommunity
Lawmakers want to reimburse fossil fuel producers to offset fed royalty hike
Under legislation, Wyoming would refund a portion of a company’s state severance tax bill “equal to” its portion owed in a federal royalty rate increase. Dustin Bleizeffer, WyoFile Some Wyoming lawmakers want to provide a tax refund to fossil fuel producers to help offset a potential federal mineral royalty rate hike. The Select Federal Natural […]
Posted inCommunity
Feds: We’ll find ‘right fit’ for Wyoming coal community grant proposals
After excluding Wyoming applications in December, Biden administration official says agency will match the proposals with other granting opportunities. Dustin Bleizeffer, WyoFile Wyoming communities bracing for coal production downturns and coal-fired power plant closures will receive support from assorted federal “revitalization” grant programs, despite being shut out of the initial round of funding in December, according […]
Posted inEnergy
TerraPower, building $4B sodium fast reactor in Wyoming, to collaborate with Japan Atomic Energy Agency
CASPER, Wyo. — TerraPower, the Bill Gates–founded company that has selected Kemmerer, Wyoming as its preferred site for a new, roughly $4 billion “Natrium” nuclear reactor, said in a press release Monday that it has reached an agreement to collaborate with Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) on sodium-cooled fast reactor nuclear technology. “We appreciate the […]
Posted inCommunity
Study: Up to 144 years for aquifers to recover from methane gas development
A state hydrological study estimates the coal-bed methane gas industry drew down some sandstone aquifers by more than 100 feet. Dustin Bleizeffer, WyoFile The coal-bed methane gas boom that dotted northeast Wyoming with rigs and workers in the 2000s and left a legacy of bankruptcies and orphaned wells will also have lingering impacts on groundwater for up […]
Posted inCommunity
Kemmerer’s locals, leaders eye transition to nuclear-power boom town
KEMMERER — A relic of 1950s-era motor lodges, the Antler Motel in the heart of Kemmerer rarely has to light its “no vacancy” sign, though customer traffic is steady during the summer tourist season and holidays, manager Rose Lain said.
Posted inCommunity
Wyo GOP selects three superintendent candidates despite lawsuit threat
UPDATE: A lawsuit was filed Tuesday morning in the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming. The 16 plaintiffs from various political party backgrounds include: John B. “Jack” Sprieght, Rex Arney, Robin Hurless, Christopher O. Boswell, Tamsin Johnson, Doug Camblin, Tom Lubnau, Anne Ladd, Kathy Vetter, Steve Simonton, Dan Neal, George Simonton and […]
Posted inCommunity
Chesapeake Energy sells Wyoming’s Powder River Basin assets for $450 million
Chesapeake Energy Corp. announced the sale of its Powder River Basin assets in Wyoming to Continental Resources Inc. on Tuesday, according to MarketWatch. The sale is for $450 million in cash, which will help fund Chesapeake’s purchase of Chief E&D Holdings LP, and associated non-operated interests held by affiliates of Tug Hill Inc. The cost […]
Posted inEnergy
Report: Wyoming gas prices rising as oil prices climb ~$20/barrel since November
CASPER, Wyo. — Gas prices in Wyoming and across the country are climbing despite demand being lower during the winter, largely due to rising oil prices, AAA reported on Monday. Gas prices in Wyoming are averaging $3.313 per gallon of regular gasoline as of Monday, up about two cents in the last week, according to […]
Posted inEnergy
Governor’s chief energy advisor provides update on Jim Bridger Plant closures
Olivia Kennah – SweetwaterNOW January 18, 2022 SWEETWATER COUNTY — Governor Mark Gordon’s Chief Energy Advisor Randall Luthi spoke with the Sweetwater County Commission today regarding the status of the potential partial Jim Bridger plant shutdown in Sweetwater County. Commission Chairman Jeff Smith said the Commission knows there’s an ongoing battle with the Jim Bridger plant […]
Posted inEnergy
Sweetwater Commission to hear update on EPA forced plant closures at Jim Bridger
Olivia Kennah – SweetwaterNOW January 17, 2022 SWEETWATER COUNTY — The Sweetwater County Commission will hear an energy update regarding a potential partial Jim Bridger plant shutdown in Sweetwater County due to the plant not being in compliance with regional haze parameters. Governor Gordon’s Environmental Policy Advisor Randall Luthi will provide an energy update to the […]
