Energy
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From Boom To Bust: US – And Wyoming’s – Oil Industry Learns From Mistakes
Advancements in hydraulic fracturing technologies brought a revolution in U.S. oil and gas production. For a while it seemed the boom would never end, but the busts came. After a few hard lessons, Americas oil and gas industry has become more efficient, more cautious and more mature.
January 31, 2023
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.
January 31, 2023
Senate Favors Letting State, Not Power Companies, Set Rates To Buy Surplus Renewable Energy
People with residential rooftop solar installations and those who work in the industry gave the Senate Corporations Committee an earful on a bill that would free electric utilities from being obligated to buy their surplus electricity.
January 28, 2023
Is Greta Thunberg Actually Smart Or Is She Just A Propped-Up Celebrity Armed With A PR Machine?
When pressed to defend her stances on climate change issues, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg responded with giggles and sarcastic replies, prompting critics to say it shows she has little understanding of climate science and is following a script her handlers give her.
January 27, 2023
Laramie County Plans To Plant 60,000 Trees As Windbreaks
Wyoming wind is famous or perhaps infamous. But for residents like Justine Whitcare, those strong winds, coupled with our open landscape, can turn that wind into a natural sandblaster, stripping paint off her Laramie County house.
Renée JeanJanuary 27, 2023
Natl Motorcycle Club President Says Harley-Davidson Transition To All-Electric ‘Stupidest Thing Ever’
Harley-Davidsons CEO said recently the company will transition to producing only electric motorcycles. The president of the National League of Riders Motorcycle Club says that's "the stupidest thing ever."
January 27, 2023
Barrasso Wants US Petroleum Reserves For Emergencies Only
President Joe Biden has tapped the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to its lowest level since 1984. Now new federal legislation aims to limit draws to national emergencies, but Biden threatens veto.
January 26, 2023
Former DOE Nuclear Security Official Says Wyoming Reactor Not Safe
A Wapiti man whose career in the Department of Energy focused on nuclear security says the TerraPower Natrium reactor planned for Kemmerer poses significant risks for proliferation and accident. TerraPower says these risks have been considered and addressed as much as reasonably possible.
January 26, 2023
Energy Experts Say U.S. Behind Europe, But Energy Crisis Could Happen Here
As Germany has done in the past few months, the United Kingdom is bringing coal plants back online and offering money to citizens to cut down on their energy use because wind energy resources just arent providing enough power.
January 25, 2023
Rail Engineers Say Poor Working Conditions Behind Labor Shortage That Stunted Wyoming Coal Production
Wyoming lost out on 50 million tons of coal production last year because of limited rail capacity. Rail companies say a labor shortage prevented more shipments, but current and retired engineers say if the rail companies treated their people better, there would be no labor shortage.
January 25, 2023
Lack Of Trains Cost Wyoming $100 Million In Coal Revenue In 2022
Wyoming coal mines would have produced about 300 million tons of coal in 2022, but were ultimately about 50 million tons short of that because there weren't enough trains to ship it out. This translates to $100 million in lost revenue to the state of Wyoming.
January 22, 2023
Was Wyoming’s EV Ban Resolution Ridiculous? Maybe Not, It Started A National Conversation
Although some people mocked the non-binding resolution to ban electric vehicles, the amount of national attention it got resurfaced the conversation about the importance of the fossil fuel industry.
January 19, 2023
Legislator Wants To Reduce What Solar Customers Are Paid For Excess Electricity
Sen. Cale Case has introduced a bill that would repeal net metering, which allows people who produce excess electricity from rooftop panels to sell it back to a utility. Case says it makes energy in the state more expensive and discriminates against the poor.
January 18, 2023
Get Your Incandescent Lightbulbs Now: Starting August 1, They’re Outlawed
Wyoming lighting retailers say they have a few incandescent light bulbs in stock but the bulbs are nearly impossible to get any more. On August 1 it will become illegal for retailers to sell incandescent bulbs.
January 18, 2023
Senate Democrats, Hollywood Likely To Continue Oil Conspiracy Probes
When a U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee investigation into oil companies alleged deceptions fizzled out, it was thought the effort was finished. It now appears Senate Democrats will pick up where their House counterparts left off.
January 18, 2023
Well, That Was Quick: Resolution To Ban Electric Vehicles In Wyoming Dies In Committee
The resolution to ban electric vehicles in Wyoming by 2035 died a short death on Monday. Supporters said the measure was intended to make a statement against states like California and New York which are banning the sale of gasoline-powered cars.
January 16, 2023
Private Wind Farms Want State To Keep Assessment Authority; Wyo Counties Say That Blows
Independent power providers told Wyoming lawmakers Friday that if the state doesnt uniformly do property tax assessments, expect less continuity and more appeals.
January 15, 2023
Take That, California! Wyoming Legislators Draft Resolution Banning Electric Vehicles By 2035
In response to California and other states phasing out the sale of gasoline-powered cars, Wyoming legislators have introduced a resolution that would ban new electric vehicles in the Cowboy State by 2035.
January 13, 2023
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.
January 12, 2023
Biden Administration Backtracks Proposal To Ban Gas Stoves
A commissioner with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission immediately walked back statements about a proposed ban on gas stoves, but that hasnt stop criticism of the plan or the science its based on.
January 12, 2023
Attacks Show How Vulnerable North America’s 55,000 Electric Substations Are
Using guns and bolt cutters, vandals have knocked out electricity for thousands of people, but only so much can be done to protect the nations electrical infrastructure.
January 08, 2023
Wyoming’s Official Position On Woke Capitalism: ‘We Are Agnostic’ When It Comes To Investments
Wyoming was an early critic of the anti-fossil fuels stance of woke capitalism, but now the official policy of the Wyoming Treasurers office is to put getting the best rate of return on state investments over politics.
January 06, 2023
Wyoming Legislator To Introduce Bill Prohibiting Employers From Microchipping Workers
Sen. Dan Laursen is championing a bill that would prohibit employers from making employees have microchips implanted in their bodies.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 06, 2023
As Car Manufacturers Move To EV-Only Production, Wyoming Businesses Move To Adapt
Two Powell businesses are moving ahead with plans to build electric vehicle charging stations. Car companies are requiring them of dealers who sell EVs.
January 06, 2023