Energy
News
Long-Term Outlook For Wyoming’s Largest Utility Creates Concern Over Grid Reliability, Electricity Rates
PacifiCorp released its 2023 resource plan, which lays out the energy mix for Wyoming’s largest utility over the next couple decades. As the company plans to shed coal and rely on wind and solar, some are concerned about impacts to wildlife, grid reliability and electricity rates.
April 06, 2023
Copper Shortage Scare Is 'Clickbait' But More U.S. Mining Would Be Better For The Environment, Say Mining Experts
The demand for copper and other critical minerals is going up as a result of electric vehicles and renewable energy. Mining experts say that a domestic supply could meet much of that demand, and it would be better for the environment — if the federal government would allow it.
April 05, 2023
New Company Looking To Begin Renting Electric Scooters in Wyoming
It’s been two years since Bird Ride began operations in Wyoming, and they’ve since deployed hundreds of rentable electric scooters across Cheyenne, Laramie and Casper. Now competitor Lime is looking to get in on the action.
April 04, 2023
Biden’s Climate Change Rules Will Cost $1.2 Trillion — Three Times More Than Originally Estimated
The Inflation Reduction Act contains a number of provisions to address climate. Critics warned it would cost much more than proposed, and they were right. At $1.2 trillion, it’s more than three times what Biden promised
April 03, 2023
Hageman Calls ‘Climate Homicide’ Charges For Climate-Related Deaths ‘Absurd’ And ‘Frivolous’
A new academic paper suggests criminal prosecution for “climate homicide,” even though deaths from climate-related natural disasters are at historic lows. It’s an idea U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman calls “absurd” and “frivolous.”
April 03, 2023
Biden To Veto ‘Lower Energy Costs Act’; Bill Would Have Unleashed Fossil Fuel Production
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman said President Biden's likely veto of the Lower Energy Costs Act is bad news for Wyoming and the U.S. because it would have unleashed fossil fuel development and brought consumer energy costs way down.
March 31, 2023
Fact Check: Claim That Fossil Fuel Economy Requires Much More Mining Than Green Energy Is Wrong
Industry experts dispute claims made in a widely shared article that fossil fuels today require much more mining than a transition to wind and solar. That’s just wrong, they say, adding that false claims that favor renewable energy often are ignored.
March 31, 2023
Report Shows Renewables Pass Coal Generation, But Fossil Fuels Far From Extinct
Although numerous media organizations cheered the news this week that electricity from renewable energy surpassed coal, many details were ignored -- like the cost of electricity has doubled.
March 29, 2023
Colorado Town Bans New Gas Stations In Effort To Fight Climate Change
The Louisville City Council in Colorado voted to ban new gas stations in order to fight climate change. Critics say the move makes no sense at all except there's a serious problem with energy ignorance in the U.S.
March 29, 2023
Wyoming Pumped Storage Facility At Seminoe Reservoir Will Supply 900 Megawatts Of Power
The Seminoe Pumped Storage facility northeast of Rawlins, if it happens, will be built about 35 miles northeast of Rawlins and could produce 900 megawatts of electricity over 10 hours.
March 27, 2023
Boulder, Colorado Suing Oil Companies For Reparations; Claim They Caused Climate Change
The city of Boulder and two Colorado counties are suing oil companies for reparations for damage due to what say they was caused by climate change.
March 25, 2023
Ford Posts $2.1 Billion Loss On Electric Vehicles, Transition To EV Lines Continues
As American automakers continue to push for transition to all electric vehicles, Ford posts a $2.1 billion loss on its EVs, a trend Wyoming auto insiders say foreign auto companies may capitalize on.
March 23, 2023
Fossil Fuels Will Remain King Well Past 2050, Says New Federal Report
Despite the Biden administration's plans to eliminate all fossil fuels within a decade, a new federal energy report says oil, gas, and coal aren't going anywhere. The report says fossil fuels will remain the top energy source well past 2050 and beyond.
March 22, 2023
World Will Need 70-100 Carbon Capture Facilities A Year Needed To Stop Global Warming
The International Energy Agency projects it would take building 70-100 large carbon capture facilities a year around the world to stop global warming by 2050.
March 18, 2023
Analysis: Anti-Fossil Fuel Groups Outspend Industry Groups More Than 2-1
While “Big Oil” is said to be funding campaigns fighting a transition away from fossil fuels, data shows that anti-fossil fuel groups also have large war chests to advance their agenda and outspend industry more than 2-1.
March 16, 2023
Biden Administration Can’t Seem To Decide: Destroy Oil Or Produce It?
When he campaigned, President Joe Biden promised to end oil, then declared the nation would need oil for more than a decade. The administration appears to be trying to shut down oil while also keeping the nation supplied with it at the same time.
March 15, 2023
On Comedy Central, Biden Calls For Oil’s Demise In a Decade – And Coal’s Even Sooner
Biden wasn’t joking on Comedy Central’s "Daily Show" this week when he said the U.S. could rapidly eliminate all fossil fuel use within a decade – and nix coal in an even shorter timeframe. Energy experts aren’t laughing.
March 15, 2023
12-Car Train Derailment In Cheyenne Cause For Concern, Says Former Legislator, Conductor
Former legislator and long-time conductor Stan Blake said the 12-car train derailment in Cheyenne should be a major cause of concern for an industry beset by mishaps. What if hazardous waste had spilled out right outside downtown Cheyenne?" he asked recalling the recent disaster in East Palestine, Ohio.
Leo WolfsonMarch 14, 2023
As U.S. Retires Coal-Fired Plants, China Is Building More – A Lot More
While the U.S. is shutting coal plants down, China is permitting two new coal-fired power plants every week. China approved the construction of 168 coal-fired units last year and has no plans to slow it's buildout of coal capacity.
March 14, 2023
Is Big Oil Behind Local-Level Opposition To Green Energy? Not Likely.
None of the articles tying oil companies to local opposition to wind and solar projects explains why oil companies would create a false grassroots campaign against wind and solar, while at the same time being some of the biggest investors in green energy.
March 13, 2023
Kinetic Dance Floors Can Generate Electricity, But It Would Take 1,000 Hoofers To Power A Home
A London-based company makes dance floors that generate electricity. Although the technology is promising, don't look to them to start powering anything of significance yet. The entire cast of Riverdance would likely be needed to power a reading light.
March 10, 2023
America’s Energy IQ At A Forrest Gump Level, Making Us Poorer And Harming The Environment
A Texas-based foundation is on a mission to raise Americas energy IQ amid evidence that a lack of energy literacy is driving policies that will make Americans less prosperous and negatively impact the environment.
March 09, 2023
Climate Vigilantes Could ‘Weaponize’ EPA Rule Against Fossil Fuels, Wyoming Oil And Gas Producers Say
A proposed EPA rule would deputize citizens and communities to police methane emissions with little to no oversight. Environmental groups say the rule will ensure compliance with emission standards, but industry says its a program that could be weaponized against fossil fuels.
March 09, 2023
Can Pumped Storage Save The Western Power Grid From Collapse?
As more coal plants are retired and the grid relies more on unpredictable wind and solar power, pumped storage could be a way to maintain a reliable sustained energy supply. Four facilities are planned for Wyoming, but can they make a difference?
March 08, 2023