Energy
News
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Wyoming Uranium Boom Drives $76 Million Merger as Industry Grows
Optimism around Wyoming uranium continues to drive investment in the state, with a $76 million merger announced Thursday highlighting the state's re-emergence as a uranium exploration hotspot.
David MadisonJune 05, 2025
Wyoming's Oil Industry Showing Moderate Growth, According To Latest Projections
New oil industry data shows Powder River Basin wells breaking even at $60 per barrel as global market forces create challenges and opportunities. One analyst says if the price per barrel of oil doesn’t go up, it could cost jobs in Wyoming.
David MadisonJune 03, 2025
Wyoming Part of Massive Geothermal Reserve That Could Power 10% of America
A new U.S. Geological Survey study identifies Wyoming’s western border as part of a massive geothermal reserve. Geologists say it could be tapped to generate electricity equal to 10% of America’s current power supply.
David MadisonJune 03, 2025
Ranch Family Files Lawsuit to Block Wyoming Wind Lease, Citing Generational Legacy
Converse County rancher Mike Stephens has filed a lawsuit against the Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners. He says they failed to follow proper procedures in approving the controversial Pronghorn wind project.
David MadisonJune 02, 2025
Even Industry Insiders Find It Hard To Keep Up With Wyoming Nuclear Boom
The dizzying, supercollider pace of energy investment in Wyoming — especially nuclear — is bringing waves of new faces into the state. It’s happening so fast that industry insiders and trade associations find it hard to keep up.
David MadisonMay 29, 2025
Companies Say National Push Could Accelerate Need For Wyoming’s Rare Earth Minerals
Wyoming's rare earth mining companies are scaling up for what could be the biggest opportunity in decades with a growing demand for minerals that power everything from smartphones to fighter jets.
David MadisonMay 27, 2025
Federal Emergency Order Extends Life Of Power Plant That Burns Wyoming Coal
A U.S. Department of Energy emergency order aims to keep open a Michigan coal-fired power plant that primarily burns Wyoming coal. It counteracts a Michigan law that requires utilities in that state to phase out all coal-fired generation by 2030.
David MadisonMay 27, 2025
Trump’s Order To Cut Red Tape Could Help Put Wyoming Nuclear Projects In Fast Lane
President Donald Trump’s overhaul of U.S. energy policy and direction continues with his executive order aimed at cutting regulatory red tape for nuclear projects. That could help put planned Wyoming nuclear projects in the fast lane for approval.
David MadisonMay 26, 2025
TerraPower Plant Will Have More Nuclear Cops Than The Local Sheriff’s Office
TerraPower experts are working with Wyoming legislators to create a special security force to protect the company's new nuclear power plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming. The force of nuclear cops will outnumber the local Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
David MadisonMay 23, 2025
Will Massive Oil And Gas Reserves Mean A New ‘Bakken Boom’ For Southwest Wyoming?
Massive oil and gas reserves identified across southwest Wyoming are being called out this week by federal officials as “substantial.” It has local industry watchers wondering if that could mean a new “Bakken boom” in the region.
David MadisonMay 22, 2025
Pumping CO2 Into Wells Helps With Recovery But Wyoming Energy Leaders Say Cost Is High
Wyoming lawmakers on the Joint Minerals Committee heard testimony Wednesday on how pressurizing oil wells with carbon dioxide pushes out what oil remains, but paying for the infrastructure remains a financial challenge for operators.
David MadisonMay 21, 2025
Campbell, Johnson And Sheridan Counties Seek to Map Coal Seam Fire Threat
There are likely hundreds of smoldering coal seams in northeastern Wyoming and local fire officials are working on a plan to map them from the air as they all have the potential to start wildfires. It's estimated that some of the fires began as far back as 1859 (during the Buchanan administration).
David MadisonMay 21, 2025
Judge Blocks Firings From Program That Supports Coal Miners With Black Lung
When the federal government tried to fire a team protecting coal miners from Wyoming to West Virginia from black lung disease, a miner filed a lawsuit. Last week, a federal judge ordered the restoration of a program that screens miners for the disease.
David MadisonMay 19, 2025
Peabody And Arch/Core Mines Dominate PRB Coal, But Are Shells Of What They Were
The Powder River Basin’s two largest producers continue to be the canary in Wyoming’s coal mining industry. The 2025 first quarter earnings reports were released last week and show Peabody and Arch/Core mines still dominate, but are only shells of what they once were.
Greg JohnsonMay 18, 2025