Dear editor:
Natural resources have always shaped Wyoming’s identity since the beginning of our statehood.
For generations, we’ve powered homes across the nation with coal, warmed communities with natural gas, and fueled vehicles with oil.
The world’s energy resources are changing, and Wyoming has the opportunity to continue our energy legacy and lead on the new frontier of energy technology.
That means using every energy resource available to us, traditional and new, to secure our future.
Oil, gas, coal, wind, nuclear, and hydrogen are not mutually exclusive, and we will not succeed by picking winners and losers.
They are complementary pieces of a stronger, more diversified energy economy. Investing in all of them creates resilience, so when one market dips, another helps carry the weight.
When one is higher in cost, the others help keep utility rates as low as possible. This is especially vital for a rural state like ours, historically vulnerable to boom-and-bust cycles, and for industries and small businesses that fight to stay open and viable.
New energy projects, from hydrogen to carbon capture to wind and solar, bring high-paying jobs, new revenue streams for counties, and opportunities for Wyoming residents to stay in-state to build careers.
These aren’t minimum wage jobs; they’re skilled trades, engineering, and technology roles that pay well and create lasting local economies. And with the right training and partnerships, Wyoming workers are the best equipped to fill them and keep our communities thriving.
Energy production and our energy independence should not be a partisan issue. Republican-led states across the West, like Utah, Texas, and North Dakota, have aggressively pursued renewable and emerging energy investments alongside fossil fuels.
They’re doing it not to chase trends, but because it’s smart economics. These states are attracting private investment and making sure their states are part of the next chapter of American energy.
Wyoming can’t afford to sit on the sidelines while others capitalize on the opportunity.
Energy production also strengthens national security. Every kilowatt of electricity or gallon of fuel we produce here at home, whether through traditional drilling and mining or renewables, reduces our dependence on foreign regimes.
It ensures that energy is made under American rules, with American workers, in American communities.
Many of our energy projects are built and operate on private property. These projects happen because landowners choose to participate.
Ranchers, farmers, and private landowners sign voluntary agreements to diversify their income and maintain control over how their land is used.
Wyoming has never been afraid of hard work or new frontiers. We’re not defined by one single energy source or industry.
We are defined by our ability to adapt, innovate, and lead. Our energy future doesn’t mean abandoning the past; it means building on it.
Let’s use all of our energy resources, defend private property rights, and strengthen our economy with high-paying, long-lasting jobs.
That’s how we secure a prosperous, resilient future for Wyoming.
Sincerely,
Chris Brown, Powering Up Wyoming
