Kevin Killough
Kevin Killough is state energy reporter for Cowboy State Daily, based in Cheyenne. He is responsible for covering wind, solar, coal, oil, gas, and nuclear. He also covers energy policy, energy economics, and climate change issues.
Previously, Kevin spent three years at the Powell Tribune, covering city government, health care and higher education. He also reported in the town of Tioga, North Dakota, where he covered the state's oil boom from a small-town perspective. He has lived in Wyoming since the summer of 2017 and joined Cowboy State Daily in September 2022.
Kevin attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and completed his graduate studies at the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada.
Latest from Kevin Killough
Wyoming Company Finding New Uses For Coal, Targets China's Control Of Rare Earths
At a coal mine near Sheridan, Wyoming, tests show it contains large quantities of highly prized rare earth elements. Ramaco is developing the resource and other technologies to give new life to Wyoming coal.
Kevin Killough4 min read
New York Lawmaker Wants To Ban Use Of Fossil Fuels In Making Wind Turbines And Solar Panels
If a bill banning the use of fossil fuels in the creation of green energy projects were to become law, it would be the end of renewable energy. There’s no feasible way to manufacture and transport wind turbines, solar panels and electric vehicles without fossil fuels.
Kevin Killough5 min read
Gov. Mark Gordon Says Woke Investing ‘Sucks’ As Wyoming Pushes Back Against It
The State Loan and Investment Board took the first steps toward adopting a policy that would prevent people who manage the state’s investments from using “woke” political aims in decisions and potentially undermining the state’s financial outcomes.
Kevin Killough5 min read
War Over Wind Farms And Eminent Domain — "It's Like A Gun To Your Head"
A Niobrara County commissioner on Monday told a Wyoming legislative committee that when a company told him they were going to build a pipeline on his ranch and he had no say about it, it was "like a gun to your head."
Kevin Killough6 min read
Potential For Catastrophic US Electric Grid Failures This Summer A Reality
A reliability assessment of the nation’s electrical grid shows increasing potential for blackouts during heat waves. Coal-fired power plants, the report states, are being retired before enough new generation sources are being put on the grid.
Kevin Killough6 min read
New Study Claims Top Oil Companies Should Pay Nearly $210 Billion A Year In Climate Change Reparations
A new study funded by anti-fossil fuel foundations argues that oil companies should pay nearly $210 billion a year for economic losses stemming from climate change. Critics call the study biased and morally flawed.
Kevin Killough5 min read
Ireland Looking To Kill 200,000 Cows To Fight Climate Change; Are US Herds Next?
In the latest effort to reduce emissions from agriculture, Ireland said it may kill 200,000 cows. Meanwhile, climate activists have American farms and ranches in the crosshairs.
Kevin Killough5 min read
Wyoming Lawmakers Want To Tax Electric Vehicle Drivers To Make Up For Lost Fuel Revenue
As Wyoming highways see more traffic from electric vehicles (EV), the Wyoming Department of Transportation, which is supported by fuel taxes EV drivers don’t pay, is looking at ways to tax them to pay for using Wyoming roads.
Kevin Killough6 min read
Energy Watchdog List Of Biden Anti-Fossil Fuel Efforts Grows To 150
The Institute of Energy Research updated its list of actions taken to crush the oil and gas industry since the day President Joe Biden took office. The new list has grown to 150 actions.
Kevin Killough5 min read
Wyoming Puts Brakes On EV Charging Station Buildout Plan
Saying it could be left having to pay back millions of dollars if companies abandon their EV charging stations, Wyoming has pushed the pause button on a $24 million federal buildout plan.
Kevin Killough5 min read
All Wyoming's Neighbors — Except Colorado — Restrict Chinese Ownership Of Farmland
Colorado is the only state bordering Wyoming that doesn't restrict Chinese ownership of agricultural land in some way. A bill to do the same in Wyoming failed in the last legislative session, but its sponsor said he will try again.
Kevin Killough4 min read
Developing Yellowstone: Not That It Would Ever Be Developed, But … What Types Of Resources Are Located There?
No one would ever seriously consider building mines, geothermal plants, wind farms and sawmills in Yellowstone National Park. But in an alternate universe, what resources are even available at Yellowstone?
Kevin Killough8 min read
Here Come The Robots: AI Risked Scientist’s Reputation By Putting His Name On Bad Journal Article He Didn’t Write
A horticultural scientist discovered a scholarly article online attributed to him, but he didn’t write it. He said it looked like artificial intelligence had produced it from a chat session, and the poor quality could have harmed his reputation as a researcher.
Kevin Killough6 min read
Bill Would Make It Easier For Feds To Take Private Land For Power Transmission Lines
A bill before the U.S. Senate would give a single federal agency siting authority for transmission line projects, which are going to grow exponentially for green energy push. The agency would also be able to take private land for these projects.
Kevin Killough6 min read
As Utilities Switch From Coal To Natural Gas, Biden Administration Now Wants To Shut Them Down Too
Wyoming’s largest utility already planned to convert coal-fired electricity units to natural gas in anticipation of meeting emission reduction targets. Now the EPA wants to shut down natural gas plants as well.
Kevin Killough4 min read
Climate Change Gets Blame For Forest Fires, Evidence Suggests Management, Weather Patterns Have More Impact
Forest fires in Alberta, Canada, have fueled the annual reports of wildfires driven out of control by climate change, even though there’s no upward trend in acreage burned. An ecologist says wildfires are driven more by management practices and weather patterns.
Kevin Killough4 min read
How Did It Just Disappear? Companies Still Can't Explain How 30 Tons Of Explosives Went Missing.
The Federal Railroad Administration is investigating whether Dyno Nobel or Union Pacific violated any federal regulations when 30 tons of ammonium nitrate, a chemical used in explosives, was lost between Cheyenne and California.
Kevin Killough3 min read
Following Backlash, DOE Says It Won’t Give $200 Million to Company With Ties To Communist China
The U.S. Department of Energy scrapped $200 million in funding to Microvast, a technology company with strong links to China. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, said he's "stunned it took he Biden administration this long" to admit it's wrong for the U.S. to give money to Chinese companies.
Kevin Killough5 min read
Wyoming Treasurer Curt Meier Joins National Effort Against Activist ‘Woke Investing’ Tactic
Activists are using shareholder proposals to push companies to advance progressive causes. Wyoming Treasurer Curt Meier joined a coordinated effort to probe how much large firms are acting according to the activists interests and against their financial duties.
Kevin Killough4 min read
Widely Cited Study Claiming Negative Health Impacts From Oil, Gas Was Funded By Anti-Oil, Gas Groups
A new study that claims oil and gas activity contributes to thousands of premature deaths was widely reported as fact, including by Wyoming media organizations. The problem is, the study was paid for by anti-fossil fuels organizations.
Kevin Killough5 min read
Wyoming Reportedly On Shortlist For $14 Billion Petroleum Refinery
Wyoming energy czar Randall Luthi told legislators he hopes Wyoming is on the shortlist of states being considered for a proposed new $14 billion petroleum refinery.
Kevin Killough5 min read