Energy
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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
Brother, Sister Rent Tesla But As Soon As They Hit Cold Weather, It Took 17 Hours To Go 450 Miles
A brother and sister rented a Tesla in Florida and it worked fine until they hit cold weather. Then they had to stop the car six times in one day to charge the vehicle. It took 17 hours to 452 miles.
January 05, 2023
New Legislation Would Fund Wyoming Fight Against Closing Coal-Fired Power Plants
Rep. Lloyd Larsen, R-Lander, is sponsoring a bill that will fund efforts to challenge the early retirement of coal plants.
January 05, 2023
One Advantage For EVs: Tesla Goes Off 300-Foot Cliff And Doesn’t Explode
While the chances of any car catching fire is remote, statistics show that electric vehicles explode less often. The Tesla that plunged off a 300-foot cliff in California on Monday -- and didn't explode -- is a good example.
January 05, 2023
Wyo Truckers Concerned With California Truck Law That Bans All Trucks, Buses Made Before 2010
Wyoming truckers are concerned with a new California law which bans all diesel trucks made before 2010, effective Jan 1. This will apply to any Wyoming truck driving through California, and states, such as Colorado, which often follows Californias lead.
January 04, 2023
Wyoming Counties Want To Assess Property Taxes For Wind Farms
Wind farm developers provide estimates of the property taxes a project will generate over its lifetime. County assessors say these estimates turn out to be far higher than the actual assessed values, and they want to have the authority to do the assessments on the county level.
January 03, 2023
Energy Dept Gives More Taxpayer Money To Chinese Companies; Barrasso Demands Answers
U.S. Sen. John Barrasso is again calling for scrutiny of a company with strong ties to China receiving taxpayer money from the Biden administrations Department of Energy as part of its green energy push.
December 31, 2022