Energy Reporter

David Madison

David Madison is an award-winning journalist and documentary producer based in Bozeman, Montana. He’s also reported for Wyoming PBS. He studied journalism at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and has worked at news outlets throughout Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Montana.

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Latest from David Madison

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright was among a laundry list of state and federal officials at Ramaco's Brook Mine for a ribbon cutting for the first new rare earths mine to open in the U.S. in 70 years on Friday, July 11, 2025.

Energy Secretary Wright Says Wyoming Coal Is Still America’s Energy Future

Along with opening the first new rare earth mine in the U.S. in 70 years last week, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright says Wyoming is key to President Trump’s agenda. While on a decade-long downturn, he said Wyoming coal is America’s energy future.

David MadisonJuly 15, 2025

Opertions at the Spring Creek coal mine in Decker, Montana.

Montana Follows Wyoming In Push To End Biden-Era Coal Lease Rules

Following Wyoming’s lead, Montana’s congressional delegation is pushing to reverse Biden-era BLM rules that would end coal mining in the Powder River Basin.

David MadisonJuly 14, 2025

North Bridger Bison tries to make use of every part of the animal — bleached skulls for collectors and florists who use them in arrangements.

Bearded Bison Advocate Started His Own Buffalo Ranch North Of Yellowstone

Matt Skoglund is a bearded bison advocate who left a law career in Chicago for a Western ag lifestyle. Now his bison ranch north of Yellowstone has become a model of natural ranching that serves customers in Montana, Wyoming and as far away as Florida.

David MadisonJuly 13, 2025

307 Safe As Wyoming’s Only Area Code For At Least Another 20 Years

Unlike Colorado, which just got its sixth area code, Wyoming's cherished 307 is safe as the state’s only area code for at least another 20 years. That’s good news for Wyomingites and the more than 900 businesses with names that start with “307.”

David MadisonJuly 12, 2025

A Fox Business reporter listens with the press pool as Gov. Mark Gordon, from left, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright center and Ramaco CEO Randall Atkins talk about the rare earth potential at the Brook Mine near Ranchester, Wyoming, on Friday, July 11, 2025..

First U.S. Rare Earth Mine In 70 Years Opens In Wyoming

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright was in Ranchester, Wyoming, on Friday for the ribbon cutting to open the first U.S. rare earth mine in 70 years. He said the Brook Mine and Wyoming are critical to breaking China’s stranglehold on rare earth processing.

David MadisonJuly 11, 2025

Here’s an area in southeastern Montana near the Wyoming border where a wildfire burned through and ignited a coal seam.

Dozens Of New Burning Coal Seams Revealed Across Wyoming’s Northern Border

After an epic 2024 wildfire season burned vast areas across northern Wyoming and southern Montana, dozens of new burning coal seams are being revealed. In Montana, the Remington Fire burned almost 200,000 acres and left more than 100 new coal seam fires.

David MadisonJuly 10, 2025

Gordon Defends Energy Platform; Gray Says Wind, Solar A ‘Woke Clown Show’

Gov. Mark Gordon and Secretary of State Chuck Gray continued their ongoing feud Thursday on the Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake Nichols. Gordon defended his “all-of-the-above” energy platform, while Gray called wind and solar a “woke clown show.”

David MadisonJuly 10, 2025

Devils Tower is the most famous site in the Bear Lodge Mountains in northeast Wyoming. But the region also is rich in rare earth minerals, attracting mining companies to develop and produce the valuable commodities.

Wyoming’s Exploding Rare Earth Industry Attracts 21 Claims From New Player

Wyoming’s exploding rare earth industry continues to attract attention. The latest is Argyle Resources Corp., which has filed 21 mineral claims in the Bear Lodge Mining District of northeast Wyoming.

David MadisonJuly 09, 2025

Work at the Eagle Buttle mine near Gillette.

Trump Opens Floodgate For Wyoming Coal, But Will Producers Buy New Leases?

Trump’s budget bill opens a floodgate for federal coal leases in Wyoming, but will producers buy them? Experts are mixed. Some say a decade of decline can’t be solved by leasing more area for mining and others that it can spark new activity.

David MadisonJuly 08, 2025

Escaped Colorado Rodeo Bull Finally Caught After 5 Days Of Freedom

An elusive rodeo bull named Sauce Boss — or maybe Twinkle Toes — was caught Sunday after running away from a Colorado rodeo. He enjoyed five days of freedom in the rugged brush and woods of an upscale neighborhood before finally being corralled.

David MadisonJuly 07, 2025

Gene Leath, a civil engineer and backcountry outfitter from Sheridan and his wife Katie Taylor struggled through tears and a crash landing at the finish line to place second. In their heat, the couple surged out of the mud bog feature to race ahead, only to stumble at the end

Sheridan Couple Qualifies For North American Wife-Carrying Championships

Isaac and Mary Hayward of Sheridan not only won a seven-couple wife-carrying race in Ranchester on the Fourth of July, they also qualified for the North American Championships.

David MadisonJuly 07, 2025

Drinking Wyoming, Montana Edition: Knights, Kilts, And Dragon Steaks At Captain Scurvy’s

Captain Scurvy's Black Dragon Den in Billings, Montana, is a blast back to medieval times and the Renaissance. Cosplay is encouraged — 10% off if you’re in costume — while you devour turkey legs and “dragon” steaks.

David MadisonJuly 05, 2025

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Camille, a mixed breed cattle dog rescued from near Hardin, Montana, turned to Xanax and the power couple of 1970s soft rock in an effort to calm her fireworks-induced anxiety.

Xanax Helps, But No ‘Magic Bullet’ For Dogs Freaked Out Over Weekend Of Fireworks

While many people love the flash and fireworks that come with the Fourth of July, a lot of dogs don’t. For some of them, Xanax helps, but a veterinarian says drugs aren’t a “magic bullet” to ease their anxiety.

David MadisonJuly 04, 2025

TerraPower has begun construction on portions of its Kemmerer nuclear facility that don't require approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

TerraPower’s Kemmerer Nuclear Plant In Fast Lane With Accelerated Permit Review

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will complete its review of TerraPower's construction permit application for its Kemmerer nuclear plant by the end of the year. That’s six months early and has local officials scrambling to keep up.

David MadisonJuly 04, 2025

Independence Day: Bull Still On The Run 2 Days After Escaping Colorado Rodeo

A young bull that escaped the Snowmass Village, Colorado, rodeo grounds Wednesday is still free and independent on the Fourth of July. He ran into an upscale residential neighborhood, where he’s eluded searchers for two days.

David MadisonJuly 04, 2025

Local departments and the Bureau of Land Management responded in force to the Powder River Fire near Arvada.

Lightning Sparks 11 Wildfires In One Night Across Northeast Wyoming

Fire departments across three counties in northeast Wyoming were stretched thin Wednesday night when a thunderstorm rolled through and left 11 lightning-caused wildfires in its path.

David MadisonJuly 03, 2025

A Wyoming company will start drilling dozens of holes in the Powder River Basin to explore potential to mine uranium. A group that includes companies from Canada and Australia hopes to find a huge uranium deposit.

Wyoming Drilling Crew Hopes To Find Huge Uranium Deposit In Powder River Basin

A Wyoming company will start drilling dozens of holes in the Powder River Basin this month to explore potential to mine uranium. A group that includes companies from Canada and Australia hopes to find a huge uranium deposit.

David MadisonJuly 02, 2025

Energy Secretary To Visit Site Of Massive Rare Earth Find In Ranchester, Wyoming

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright will be in northern Wyoming for the July 11 groundbreaking of the Brook Mine in Ranchester. Ramaco Resources believes it holds the largest “unconventional” rare earth deposit in the U.S.

David MadisonJuly 02, 2025

Midwest Power Plant Operator Wants $22M From BNSF For Not Delivering Wyoming Coal

The operator of a pair of Midwest power plants wants $22 million from BNSF Railway, according to recent documents filed with the Surface Transportation Board. The company claims the power plants couldn’t get their full orders of Wyoming coal.

David MadisonJuly 01, 2025

A large shovel fills a 200-ton bucket with coal at the Buckskin Mine in northeast Wyoming in this file photo.

Coal A Big Winner After Marathon Senate Session on Big Beautiful Bill Act

A dramatic marathon weekend session in the U.S. Senate elevated coal as a high priority among lawmakers who hammered out amendments to President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

David MadisonJune 30, 2025

Wyoming turbines near Rock River Steve Hamblin via Alamy 6 30 25

Another Wind And Solar Project Triggers Opposition In Eastern Wyoming

A proposed 450-megawatt wind and solar project in Goshen and Platte counties would create 300 jobs and mean about $150 million in tax revenue. Even so, locals are opposed, with Torrington’s mayor saying a gas- or coal-fired power plant would be preferred.

David MadisonJune 30, 2025

Paul Angiolillo displaying his wares at the Old Salt Festival in Helmville, Montana.

Wyoming Farrier Goes From Shoeing Horses To Crafting High-End Steel Cookware

Paul Angiolillo started out shoeing horses, then he dreamt up a new career as a blacksmith specializing in carbon steel cookware. "I actually started having dreams about anvils in my sleep," he said. Now the Freedom, Wyoming, man is gaining a following for his high-end creations.

David MadisonJune 29, 2025

A place to hang your hat at the Chico Saloon.

There’s Love — And Hundreds Of Baseball Caps — In The Air At The Chico Saloon

The Chico Saloon north of Yellowstone is a funky honkytonk legendary for its weddings and hundreds of baseball caps hanging from the rafters. It’s also where actor Jeff Bridges was famously rejected by a server who would later become his wife.

David MadisonJune 29, 2025

Robotaxis are rolling out in urban areas across the nation and going viral for their miscues. For now, the jobs of Cowboy State taxi drivers are safe because along with not enough demand for the service, robotaxis can’t yet handle Wyoming’s winters.

Robotaxis Are Here, But Can’t Yet Handle A Wyoming Winter

Driverless taxis are rolling out in urban areas across the nation and going viral for their miscues. Don't expect them in Wyoming anytime soon as robotaxis can't handle winter weather. But industry analysts say autonomous driving is coming.

David MadisonJune 29, 2025

Cyclone Drilling in Gillette is the go-to specialist for drilling the nation’s deepest and longest oil and gas wells. It’s going to drill Wyoming’s first 3-mile lateral well — and is already planning to go 4 miles and beyond.

Gillette’s Cyclone Drilling To Do Wyoming’s First 3-Mile Well And 4-Mile Well Is Next

Cyclone Drilling in Gillette is the region's go-to specialist for drilling the deepest and longest oil and gas wells. It’s going to drill Wyoming’s first 3-mile lateral well — and is already planning to go 4 miles and beyond.

David MadisonJune 28, 2025

The property at 5650 Canyonwoods Drive in Billings, Montana, is described as a 30,843-square-foot stone chateau with 10 bedrooms and 19 bathrooms, situated on 98 acres. The listing mentions it's priced at $26.9 million and includes amenities like three pools, a 14-car garage, elevators, indoor shooting range, bowling alley, an outdoor 3-hole golf course and an indoor golf simulator, plus a wine cellar, workout gym and theater.

Notorious Montana Mansion Rescued By A Couple From Meeteetse Can Be Had For $27M

A Billings mansion known as “The Castle” is notorious for a massive fraud that involved a fake kidnapping and rogue biker gang. It was rescued by a couple from Meeteetse and is now back on the market for $27 million.

David MadisonJune 28, 2025

Counties Look To Regulate As More Wind, Solar Projects Eye Northeast Wyoming

Crook County doesn’t have regulations for local permitting of solar and wind projects, and hasn’t needed them — until now. As more wind and solar development is planned for northeast Wyoming, local governments are drafting new rules.

David MadisonJune 25, 2025

One Of Wyoming’s Largest Oil Producers Drilling Its First 3-Mile Well

Anschutz Exploration Corp. is already one of the largest oil producers in Wyoming. Now it’s pushing the industry by drilling Wyoming’s first 3-mile lateral well on a pad in Johnson County.

David MadisonJune 24, 2025

Mountain Pass in California is the only active rare earth mine and processing facility in the U.S. Wyoming figures to play a huge role in changing that.

Congress Spotlights Wyoming’s Rare Earth Industry As Vital To US Supply

Wyoming and Montana took center stage at a congressional hearing Tuesday about fast-tracking rare earth processing in the U.S. New tech to extract rare earths from coal waste could help break China’s stranglehold on the critical minerals.

David MadisonJune 24, 2025

Teton County commissioners have sent a letter to Wyoming’s congressional delegation asking for federal lands in the county be exempt from any proposed sale. Montana got an exemption, and Teton County officials want the same.

Teton County Wants Same Federal Land Sale Exemption Montana Got

Teton County commissioners have sent a letter to Wyoming’s congressional delegation asking that federal lands in the county be exempt from any proposed sale. Montana got an exemption, and Teton County officials want the same.

David MadisonJune 23, 2025

The Idaho National Laboratory is helping companies develop new nuclear technologies, including several projects planned for Wyoming. It has also issued a call for new startups to demonstrate their innovative nuclear tech.

Idaho National Lab Wants To Keep Building Wyoming’s Nuclear Industry

The same laboratory that has supported Wyoming’s emerging micro nuclear reactor sector is now inviting more companies to submit proposals. The move comes as Wyoming continues to position itself as a hub for small nuclear reactor development.

David MadisonJune 22, 2025

Kemmerer Mayor Robert Bowen digs for dinosaur bones near the small Wyoming town.

Kemmerer Mayor Digs For Dinosaur Bones While Town Waits For Housing Boom

The mayor of Kemmerer — aka Fossil Town USA — is closely watching the local real estate market. He thinks the current housing stock meets today's needs but warned that won't last long. A housing explosion is expected as TerraPower makes Kemmerer a nuclear boom town.

David MadisonJune 21, 2025

Jerry Tam is talking about getting out of a family business that's made Butte, Montana, home to the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in the U.S. Pekin Noodle Parlor is an institution, but Tam now is thinking about retiring.

Montana Owner Of Oldest Chinese Restaurant In America Considers Closing

You might think the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in the U.S. would be in San Francisco or New York. Actually, it's in Butte, Montana. Jerry Tam is the owner of the Pekin Noodle Parlor and is the great, great grandson of the first owner.

David MadisonJune 21, 2025

Despite Opposition From Bar Nunn Residents, Natrona County OKs Nuclear Project

Natrona County commissioners got an earful from locals opposed to Radiant Nuclear’s planned project near Bar Nunn. Then they voted to support the company getting a $25 million grant from the Wyoming Business Council.

David MadisonJune 20, 2025

Shelby Holder of Kemmerer set the new state record for a tiger trout with this 14-pound, 15.2-ounce whooper he caught on the Hams Fork River near Viva Naughton Reservoir. The previous record tiger trout were caught in 2024 and 2023 in the same vicinity.

After Breaking All But One Fishing Rod, Wyoming Man Catches Record Tiger Trout

Shelby Holder of Kemmerer had already broken three of his four fly rods when he decided to go fishing early on June 6. He ended up landing the new Wyoming state record tiger trout, a nearly 15-pound fish.

David MadisonJune 20, 2025

A power substation in Cheyenne. Black Hills Energy is building new substations and doing powerline construction near Cheyenne as parts of its larger Ready Wyoming project, on track for completion by the end of 2025, according to the utility.

Black Hills Energy Spending $540M To Connect North-South Wyoming Power Grids

A pair of large-scale Black Hills Energy projects will connect northern and southern Wyoming power grids while adding more natural gas generation. Together, they represent a $540 million outlay.

David MadisonJune 19, 2025

The Integrated Test Center at Dry Fork Station power plant north of Gillette provides flue gas for research and development of carbon capture and utilization technologies.

Despite Federal Cuts, Company Says Gillette Carbon Capture Project Not Dead

The Department of Energy scrapping a nearly $50 million grant supporting large-scale carbon capture technology in Gillette is a blow, but won’t kill the project, the company says. Work will continue with a push for private investment.

David MadisonJune 19, 2025

Montana is exempt from federal land sales outlined in the budget bill, aka the One Big Beautiful Bill. In Wyoming, millions of acres could potentially be on the list to hit the market.

By The Way, Montana Is Exempt From Public Land Sales In Budget Bill

While many in Wyoming and other western states are worried about potential public land sales, our neighbors to the north aren't sharing those concerns. Montana's congressional delegation was able to exempt the state from any potential public land sell-offs.

David MadisonJune 18, 2025

Bar Nunn Residents Push Back On Storing Spent Nuclear Fuel From Microreactors

The central Wyoming town of Bar Nunn, and some state legislators, are divided about a plan for Radiant Nuclear to build its micronuclear plants here. That’s because the plan includes accepting and storing spent nuclear fuel from the company’s reactors.

David MadisonJune 16, 2025

Across Wyoming And Montana, Schools Serving More Bison In More Places

Across Wyoming and Montana, schools are serving more bison in more places. On reservations, it’s also closely tied to culture and better health.

David MadisonJune 16, 2025

Genesis Alkali workers underground in the company's Wyoming trona mine operating continuous mining equipment and other machinery.

WE Soda Downsizes Wyoming Trona Operation While Ramping Up Production

WE Soda, the world's largest producer of natural soda ash, confirmed this week it’s downsizing positions following a $1.43 billion acquisition of Genesis Alkali's two Wyoming mines.

David MadisonJune 12, 2025

The Dave Johnston Power Plant near Glenrock.

Trump’s EPA To Roll Back Biden-Era Emission Rules On Coal-Fired Power Plants

The EPA is making good on one of President Donald Trump’s campaign promises, announcing Wednesday it's rolling back Biden-era emissions rules on U.S. power plants. Wyoming power providers are pleased with the move.

David MadisonJune 12, 2025

Wyoming Oil And Gas Lease Sale Nets $7.7M, ‘Peanuts’ Compared To Trump’s First Term

The reality of oil and gas leasing in Wyoming hasn’t yet caught up to the Trump administration’s pledge to “unleash American energy.” Tuesday’s sale took in $7.7 million, “peanuts” compared to the $173 million in the best year of Trump’s first term.

David MadisonJune 11, 2025

$245M At Stake For Wyoming In Tug-Of-War Over Controversial Rock Springs Plan

Years of heated public debate had oil companies squaring off with environmentalists over drilling rights on 3.6 million acres of Wyoming desert. As federal officials prepare to rewrite the controversial Rock Springs plan, $245 million is at stake.

David MadisonJune 10, 2025

A federal judge has allowed a coalition of tribal and green groups to fight to save a Biden-era rule to end coal mining in the Powder River Basin by 2041. They’ve been allowed to join a lawsuit filed by Wyoming and Montana to reverse the rule.

Green Groups Fight To Save Biden-Era Plan To End Powder River Basin Coal Mining

A federal judge Friday allowed a coalition of tribal and green groups to fight to save a Biden-era rule that would end coal mining in the Powder River Basin by 2041. They’ve been allowed to help fight a lawsuit filed by Wyoming and Montana to reverse the rule.

David MadisonJune 10, 2025

Oil and gas rigs operate in eastern Wyoming in this file photo.

Trump Administration Pushes For 5,000-Well Wyoming Oil And Gas Project

The Trump administration is pushing to move ahead with granting approvals for a 5,000-well oil and gas project in Converse County, Wyoming. A favorable Friday BLM report comes despite a previous court order halting permitting for the project.

David MadisonJune 09, 2025

Sean Patrick Higgins, right, and his partner at Story House Montana, James Brown III.

Wyoming Filmmaker Building 47-Acre Studio In Montana, Will Produce First Film This Year

Sheridan resident Sean Patrick Higgins is building a 47-acre film studio in Missoula, Montana, with a schedule to produce its first film this year. Higgins said because there are no tax incentives in Wyoming, he moved his film production operations to Montana.

David MadisonJune 07, 2025

The Trump administration has approved an expansion of Montana's Bull Mountains underground coal mine, reinforcing his emergency energy directives to fast-track fossil fuels. Opponents say the move is an “end-run” of environmental safeguards.

Trump Administration OKs Expansion Of Montana Mine That Exports Coal To Asia

The Trump administration has approved an expansion of Montana's Bull Mountains underground coal mine, reinforcing its emergency energy directives to fast-track fossil fuels. Opponents say the move is an “end-run” of environmental safeguards.

David MadisonJune 07, 2025