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Energy
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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
Proposed EPA Rules Threaten Power Grid By Shutting Down Coal And Natural Gas Power Plants, Critics Say
The EPA released proposed rules Thursday that come down hard on carbon dioxide emissions from coal- and natural gas-fired power plants, which in turn threaten the stability of America’s power grid, say critics of the rules.
Kevin Killough5 min read
Hageman Says BLM’s Leasing Review Process Rigged To Keep Coal In The Ground
It’s been 10 years since a new federal coal lease was approved in Wyoming, and U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman says the BLM and Biden administration are rigging the process to keep it that way.
Kevin Killough7 min read
Why The Hate? Coal Industry, Lawmakers Question The Bias And Negativity Of Media Coverage.
Wyoming’s coal industry keeps energy costs low and provides state revenues and jobs that will be impossible to replace, supporters say, which is why editorials and negative coverage in state media are so perplexing.
Kevin Killough5 min read
Arch Reports Solid First Quarter For Wyoming Coal, No Word On Pending Mine Closures
Wyoming’s largest coal producers report solid earnings so far this year, and Arch Resources, which had previously announced plans to shutter its Coal Creek and Black Thunder mines, hasn’t provided any recent updates on mine closures.
Kevin Killough4 min read
Report Shows Renewables Pass Coal Generation, But Fossil Fuels Far From Extinct
Although numerous media organizations cheered the news this week that electricity from renewable energy surpassed coal, many details were ignored -- like the cost of electricity has doubled.
Kevin Killough5 min read
As U.S. Retires Coal-Fired Plants, China Is Building More – A Lot More
While the U.S. is shutting coal plants down, China is permitting two new coal-fired power plants every week. China approved the construction of 168 coal-fired units last year and has no plans to slow it's buildout of coal capacity.
Kevin Killough6 min read
Wyoming Wants To Fill Coal Mines With Spent Wind Turbine Blades, But Feds Won’t OK Plan
A Wyoming plan to help coal mine reclamation and address an enormous problem with the disposal of millions of tons of spent wind turbine blades is so far going nowhere without federal approval.
Kevin Killough4 min read
‘Disappointing’ Rail Service Throttles Wyoming Coal Despite Record $1.3 Billion Revenue In 2022, Arch Reports
Arch Natural Resources reported a record $1.3 billion in net income for 2022, despite production at Wyoming coal mines limited because of what the company reports as further deterioration in already poor Western rail service.
Kevin Killough5 min read
Mining
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Fact Check: Claim That Fossil Fuel Economy Requires Much More Mining Than Green Energy Is Wrong
Industry experts dispute claims made in a widely shared article that fossil fuels today require much more mining than a transition to wind and solar. That’s just wrong, they say, adding that false claims that favor renewable energy often are ignored.
Kevin Killough5 min read
Mining Association Skeptical Of Study That Says Only 1 Coal Plant In U.S. Operates Cheaper Than Wind/Solar
The Wyoming Mining Association's Travis Deti said the study is problematic because it doesn't factor in the costs of maintaining reliability on the grid. "The fact is, wind and solar just aren't reliable," he said.
Kevin Killough4 min read
Bill To Grant Wyoming More Control Of Rare Earth Permitting Moves Out Of Committee
Thorium and uranium are byproducts of the rare earth mining process, and that requires another license which takes three years and costs $3 million. Wyoming is hoping to take control of the licensing process and cut the time and cost in half.
Kevin Killough3 min read
What Happened To Wyoming’s Anticipated Lithium Boom?
For a brief time in 2013, there was much buzz and excitement about lithium deposits in southwest Wyoming near Rock Springs. Like many stories hinting at mining booms, the lithium hype gave way to economic realities.
Kevin Killough5 min read
Wyoming Mining Industry Prepares For Potential Rail Strike
Wyoming coal and trona mines will be deeply impacted by a rail strike in two weeks, which is a strong possibility. If that happens, layoffs are likely.
Kevin Killough4 min read
With No Federal Govt. Involvement, Gold Mine West Of Cheyenne Could Be Operational By 2025
Without any federal land or federal bureaucracy to worry about, the CK Gold Project is trimming years off the permitting process and could begin mining by 2025.
Kevin Killough6 min read
Wind, Solar, EVs Are Going To Take A Huge Increase In Mining & The World Isn’t Ready For It
A 2021 energy report estimates that wind and solar projects will require 500% to 700% more minerals compared to building a natural gas power plant. And the world's mining industry isn't remotely close to an increase of that much.
Kevin Killough8 min read
New Wyoming Soda Ash Mine Expected To Create Over 2,000 Jobs in Sweetwater County
A mine planned near Green River will tap into the worlds largest deposit of soda ash and provide a key ingredient for electric vehicles and solar panels. The mine could satisfy a rapidly rising demand and help the U.S. compete with China.
Kevin Killough4 min read
Mining Companies See Opportunity In Wyoming But Permitting Time Takes 10 Years
Mining companies are actively prospecting in Wyoming for gold, copper, zinc, nickel and platinum, but lengthy permitting is stopping development.
Kevin Killough5 min read