Energy

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

A power substation in Cheyenne. Black Hills Energy is building new substations and doing powerline construction near Cheyenne as parts of its larger Ready Wyoming project, on track for completion by the end of 2025, according to the utility.

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

The Integrated Test Center at Dry Fork Station power plant north of Gillette provides flue gas for research and development of carbon capture and utilization technologies.

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

Genesis Alkali workers underground in the company's Wyoming trona mine operating continuous mining equipment and other machinery.

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

The Dave Johnston Power Plant near Glenrock.

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

A federal judge has allowed a coalition of tribal and green groups to fight to save a Biden-era rule to end coal mining in the Powder River Basin by 2041. They’ve been allowed to join a lawsuit filed by Wyoming and Montana to reverse the rule.

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

Oil and gas rigs operate in eastern Wyoming in this file photo.

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

The Trump administration has approved an expansion of Montana's Bull Mountains underground coal mine, reinforcing his emergency energy directives to fast-track fossil fuels. Opponents say the move is an “end-run” of environmental safeguards.

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

Nuclear Fuels Inc. drilled several holes in the Powder River Basin area as it hopes to find enough uranium to begin production.

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

A pump jack operates in Wyoming's Powder River Basin in this undated photo.

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

The Norris Basin in Yellowstone National Park is one of Wyoming's active geothermal sources. A new U.S. Geological Survey study identifies Wyoming’s western border — outside the national park — as part of a massive geothermal reserve. It could be tapped to generate electricity equal to 10% of America’s current power supply.

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

Tel and Kelsey Stephens, along with Adelaide Bopp, pitch in to help move cattle with Michael Stephens on Monday.

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

Ur-Energy’s in-situ mining field for uranium at the company's Lost Creek site in the Red Desert of southwest Wyoming. A uranium boom continues to attract investors and companies from around the globe. The most recent is a Canada-based company that proposes to make what it calls "renewable nuclear" energy in eastern Wyoming.

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

The Halleck Creek site in Wyoming, now called the Cowboy State Mine site.

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

Radiant proposes to build micro nuclear reactors in Bar Nunn, Wyoming. This is a screenshot from a video detailing a recent thermal cooling test of Radiant's technology.

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

A pair of officers guard the Crystal River Energy Complex nuclear power plant in Crystal River, Florida, in this file photo.

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

An electric shovel operator loads a haul truck with 200 tons of coal at the Buckskin Mine near Gillette, Wyoming, in this file photo.

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 Energy Corp.'s North Antelope Rochelle mine in Wyoming's Powder River Basin is the world's largest and most productive coal mine.

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

Doors Swinging Wide Open For Wyoming Energy Development On Public Land

The Trump administration continues to open the floodgates on rolling back restrictions and speeding up timelines for energy development on public land. It’s a relief for Wyoming’s oil and gas sector.

David MadisonMay 16, 2025

Battle Lines Drawn Over Huge Eastern Wyoming ‘Green’ Hydrogen Jet Fuel Project

Battle lines are being drawn over a pair of contentious eastern Wyoming wind and solar projects that recently got leasing approval from state officials. The plan is to make “green” hydrogen jet fuel.

David MadisonMay 15, 2025

Hageman Aims To Protect Hydro Power By Reversing Biden Fish Protections

The U.S. House passed a bill sponsored by Wyoming’s Harriet Hageman on Tuesday that aims to protect the hydro power produced by Glen Canyon Dam. A Biden-era protection on fish bypasses the dam and kills its ability to produce energy, Hageman says.

David MadisonMay 14, 2025

On the floor of a natural gas drilling rig, roughnecks move 25-ton blocks over a section of drilling pipe 8 miles north of Evanston, Wyoming, in this file photo.

Reaction To Trump Tariffs Helps Push Wyoming Oil Prices To Four-Year Low

The price of oil in Wyoming has been pushed to a four-year low, caused by a response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs. A state economist also reports 200 fewer oil and gas jobs than a year ago.

David MadisonMay 13, 2025

The ExxonMobil plant in La Barge, Wyoming, not only is a world leader in carbon capture, it also produces about 20% of the world's helium.

Second Major Helium Plant Planned For Southwest Wyoming

Wyoming already produces 20% of the world’s Grade A helium supply from one plant east of Kemmerer. Now it’s about to get another major helium plant in southwest Wyoming.

Renée JeanMay 12, 2025

A pair of the major U.S. players in nuclear power — Uranium Energy Corp. and Radiant Energy — announce a partnership to develop the industry across America — and Wyoming could be ground zero.

Wyoming Could Capture Bigger Piece Of US Nuclear Power Than Just Mining Uranium

A pair of the major U.S. players in nuclear power announce a partnership to develop the industry across America — and Wyoming could be ground zero. There's potential for the state do more than just mine uranium.

Renée JeanMay 07, 2025

A coalition of 18 attorneys general from mostly blue states is suing the Trump administration over its directive to pump the brakes on wind energy permitting. Wyoming has plenty of wind turbines, but isn’t part of the lawsuit.

Group Of Mostly Blue States Sue Trump Over Halt Of Federal Wind Energy Permits

A coalition of 18 attorneys general from mostly blue states is suing the Trump administration over its directive to pump the brakes on federal wind energy permitting. Wyoming has plenty of wind turbines, but isn’t part of the lawsuit.

David MadisonMay 07, 2025

The site about 20 miles southwest of Green River could produce 6 million tons of soda ash and sodium bicarbonate a year.

BLM Approves New $5 Billion Pacific Soda Trona Mine Near Green River

The Bureau of Land Management announced Friday it's approved Pacific Soda’s proposed $5 billion Dry Creek Trona Mine Project south of Green River. The project promises hundreds of full-time jobs.

David MadisonMay 05, 2025

A mound of dirt dug out of the ground for water storage sits next to a drilling site at the Lost Creek project in south-central Wyoming. The water is needed to cool down the drill bit when digging for uranium.

Former Wyoming Legislator Now In EPA Approves Long-Delayed Uranium Project

Former Sheridan state legislator Cyrus Western, put in charge of the EPA’s Denver office by the Trump administration, has approved a long-delayed Wyoming uranium mining project. Western says it was past time for “getting government out of the way.”

David MadisonMay 02, 2025

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, left, signs a three-state nuclear power compact with Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Idaho Gov. Brad Little.

Wyoming A Lynchpin In New Three-State Nuclear Compact With Utah, Idaho

Wyoming has emerged as a lynchpin of a three-state compact with Utah and Idaho signed this week to form a nuclear energy partnership. The TerraPower project near Kemmerer could be just the beginning of a small, modular nuclear reactor revolution.