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Platte County commissioners unanimously approved new wind and solar energy regulations Tuesday afternoon they said protect private property rights for landowners and neighbors.

Platte County Passes Wind And Solar Rules Officials Say Protect Property Rights

Platte County commissioners unanimously approved new wind and solar energy regulations Tuesday afternoon they said protect private property rights for landowners and neighbors.

David MadisonJanuary 21, 2026

A coal train rolls under stormy skies near Glendo, Wyoming. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern's bid to create the largest rail merger in history was rejected last week by federal regulators. The decision gives breathing room to competitors who warned the deal would raise costs for Wyoming coal producers. Now, BNSF Railway hauls Powder River Basin coal across the West before handing off the shipments to Norfolk Southern.

Feds Reject Railroad Mega Merger That Threatened Wyoming Coal

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern's bid to create the largest rail merger in history was rejected last week by federal regulators. The decision gives breathing room to competitors who warned the deal would raise costs for Wyoming coal producers.

David MadisonJanuary 19, 2026

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Wyoming Has Triple The Permits Of Colo., But Drills Half As Many Oil And Gas Wells


Wyoming holds three times more oil and gas drilling permits than Colorado but drills far fewer wells. The numbers show that while Wyoming holds 8,600 permits to Colorado's 2,800 and North Dakota's 1,350, only 57% of wells will get drilled.

David MadisonJanuary 18, 2026

One of Wyoming's many Carbon County wind farms.

U.S. Wind Industry Faces Political Crosswinds, Blowback From Rural Communities

As federal subsidies phase out for new wind energy projects, wind developers and opponents are regrouping. In Wyoming and Nebraska, residents against large-scale developments say the fight has just begun.

David MadisonJanuary 18, 2026

An image from the Idaho National Lab illustrating lunar work that requires electricity.

Wyoming Or The Moon: Which Gets A Working Nuclear Reactor First?

NASA and the Department of Energy signed an agreement earlier this week committing to put a nuclear reactor on the moon in 2030, the same year TerraPower's plant in Kemmerer is expected to come online. Which nuclear reactor will switch on first?

David MadisonJanuary 18, 2026

The robotic arms and devices can be used in ways that allow them to mimic various activities on a drilling rig, while other industrial robots specialize in equipment monitoring and safety.

AI Robots Are Already Working Wyoming’s Oil Patch, And Coal Mines Could Be Next


Robots and AI are automating Wyoming’s oil rigs for safer drilling, while coal plants are being upgraded with “robot bubble baths” to boost yields amid labor shortages. Industry insiders see mining as next for AI robot workers, despite slow adoption.

David MadisonJanuary 17, 2026

The largest soda ash producer in the world credited Sen. Cynthia Lummis this week with averting India’s proposed tariff on the product.

World’s Largest Soda Ash Company Credits Lummis With Averting India Tariffs 

The world's leading producer of soda ash on Thursday credited U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis for averting India's planned tariffs on the product. They say the tariffs would have hurt Wyoming trona producers and Lummis' action saved jobs and millions of dollars.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 16, 2026

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Wyoming vs China? JAC Advances $16M Rare Earths Loan In Budget To Counter China

In what he called a win over China, Sen. Ogden Driskill advanced a proposed $16 million state-backed loan to bolster a rare earths processing plant. One industry rep said, "This is truly Upton versus China — this is how Wyoming pushes back against China.” 

Clair McFarland & Renée JeanJanuary 16, 2026

At the Idaho National Lab, researchers say they are striving to perfect the reprocessing and recycling of nuclear fuel rods, while watchdogs raise concerns about radioactive emissions released during this work.

Utah Full Steam Ahead On Nuclear Industry While Wyoming Avoids

The 2026 legislative season is ramping up, and Utah lawmakers are fully embracing the nuclear industry while Wyoming legislators appear to be avoiding the subject.

David MadisonJanuary 13, 2026

The Trump administration’s EPA has finalized its rejection of closing coal-fired power plants in Colorado, drawing sharp criticism from environmental and health groups. The decision extends the life of the Ray D. Nixon Power Plant in Colorado Springs, which burns Wyoming coal. Former Wyoming legislator Cyrus Western is the Region 8 administrator for the EPA.

Trump’s EPA Rejects Closure Of Colorado Power Plant That Burns Wyoming Coal

The Trump administration’s EPA has finalized its rejection of closing a coal-fired power plant in Colorado, drawing sharp criticism from environmental and health groups. The decision extends the life of a plant that burns Wyoming coal.

David MadisonJanuary 12, 2026

The $350 million, 260-mile Ready Wyoming transmission project represents the largest electrical infrastructure investment in Black Hills Energy's history. The company claims it will provide long-term price stability and link Wyoming and South Dakotas power grids.

$350 Million Transmission Project Links Wyoming, South Dakota Power Grids

The $350 million Ready Wyoming transmission project represents the largest electrical infrastructure investment in Black Hills Energy's history. The company claims it will provide long-term price stability and link Wyoming's and South Dakota's power grids.

Kate MeadowsJanuary 09, 2026

The proposed 2-gigawatt Seminoe Generating Station near Rawlins would pair natural gas and wind power to boost Wyoming’s energy supply. The project aims to cut water use by up to 95% and reduce emissions while creating hundreds of jobs.

Proposed Seminoe Power Plant Aims To Cut Water Use 95% And Slash Emissions

The proposed 2-gigawatt Seminoe Generating Station near Rawlins would pair natural gas and wind power to boost Wyoming’s energy supply. The project aims to cut water use by up to 95% and reduce emissions while creating hundreds of jobs.

Kate MeadowsJanuary 08, 2026

Wyoming uranium pulled from facilities like Cameco’s Smith Ranch-Highland facility are on track to be enriched using laser technology to create fuel for the nation’s nuclear power plants.

Part Of $2.7 Billion From Feds Is For Laser Tech That Could Be Used On Wyoming Uranium

The U.S. Department of Energy announced $2.7 billion in contracts this week to strengthen domestic uranium enrichment. That includes $28.5 million to continue developing next-generation laser enrichment technology that could be used on Wyoming uranium.

David MadisonJanuary 07, 2026

A drilling rig near Pinedale, Wyoming, in this file photo.

Wyoming’s Last Oil And Gas Sale Of 2025 Draws A Meager Two Bids 

Wyoming’s Dec. 30 oil and gas lease sale got bids on just two parcels out of 34 available from out-of-state firms. The BLM awaits federal guidance on re-listing the properties under the requirements of the Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Kate MeadowsJanuary 06, 2026

The Wyoming Innovation Center is on approximately 9.5 acres on two lots at Fort Union Industrial Park in Gillette and will consist of three main components: Main building with offices and labs; material processing building; open air pilot pads for development of innovative processes. The main building pictured below, with offices and labs, is 4,070 square feet.

Wyoming Building Nation's Largest Coal Products Facility Near Gillette

Construction crews are assembling a field demonstration plant that will process up to 10 tons of coal per day into materials for roads, buildings, and nuclear fuel. The project is a critical step from research to commercial viability.

David MadisonJanuary 06, 2026

Rob Creager, executive director of the Wyoming Energy Authority, which is an agency geared toward bolstering the state's energy economy, now has a seat on a federal coal committee that advises the U.S. Department of Energy.

Wyoming Energy Leader Appointed To National Coal Advisory Council

The executive director of the Wyoming Energy Authority, which is an agency geared toward bolstering the state's energy economy, now has a seat on a federal coal committee that advises the U.S. Department of Energy.

Ole BraatelienJanuary 06, 2026

Oil well flare

For Wyoming, Is Venezuelan Oil The New Argentinian Beef?

Trump's move to rebuild Venezuela's oil industry after Nicolas Maduro's capture could put downward pressure on prices, squeezing Wyoming oil producers already operating on thin margins. But industry leaders say many questions remain unanswered.

David MadisonJanuary 05, 2026

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After Judge Tosses Wind Project, State Land Board To Discuss Leasing Rules

The Wyoming State Board of Land Commissioners will hold a special meeting next week in Douglas to discuss wind leasing. That comes a month after a district court judge reversed the board's approval of controversial Converse County wind energy lease.

David MadisonJanuary 02, 2026

From expanding coal lease sales across the Powder River Basin to a new energy secretary with fracking credentials, Wyoming's oil and gas industry found the Trump administration a friendlier federal partner in 2025. 

How Trump's Energy Agenda Is Reshaping Wyoming's Oil And Gas Industry

From expanding coal lease sales across the Powder River Basin to a new energy secretary with fracking credentials, Wyoming's oil and gas industry found the Trump administration a friendlier federal partner in 2025. 

David MadisonDecember 26, 2025

A large coal shovel fills a haul truck at Peabody Energy's North Antelope Rochelle Mine in the Powder River Basin of northeast Wyoming.

U.S. Breaks 15-Year Run Of Coal Declines With Increased Demand

The International Energy Agency reports global coal demand is expected to hit a new record high in 2025. In the U.S. and Wyoming, it’s expected to increase 8%, breaking a 15-year run of 6% annual declines.

Kate MeadowsDecember 26, 2025

The Lightning Dock Geothermal project near Lordsburg, New Mexico.

Wyoming Could Be On The Edge Of Massive Western Geothermal Energy Push

Revamping federal lease sales, policy changes and legislation is positioning geothermal as America's next energy boom. Wyoming is on the edge of a massive push for Western geothermal energy as oil and gas expertise could transfer to the industry. 

David MadisonDecember 24, 2025

Wyoming oil and gas operators are cheering the BLM’s announcement last week to delay a Biden-era 1,400% hike on bonding costs. The huge increase threatened to shutter small oil and gas producers across the state.

Wyoming Oil And Gas Operators Cheer Delay Of Biden-Era 1,400% Bond Rate Hike

Wyoming oil and gas operators are cheering a BLM announcement last week to delay a Biden-era 1,400% hike on bonding costs. The huge increase threatened to shutter small oil and gas producers across the state.

David MadisonDecember 23, 2025

The radioactive waste disposal site in Clive, Utah.

Utah Company Wants Nuclear Waste From Canada; Could It Come Through Wyoming?

A Utah company is leading a charge to take and store radioactive waste from Canada. Opponents say it’s a bad idea, and that it could mean nuclear waste coming through Wyoming.

David MadisonDecember 22, 2025

The Wyoming Department of Transportation wants to use federal money to support an EV charger building spree.

Wyoming Aims To Turn EV Charging Into A New Post-Pump Marketplace

Wyoming recently won federal approval to expand its EV charging network beyond the interstates, and the state plans to kick-start development of a new post-pump marketplace for EV charging.

David MadisonDecember 20, 2025

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