A new survey finds that Wyoming residents support all forms of energy in the state.
Jessica Western, a research associate with the University of Wyoming Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, said the survey asked over five hundred Wyomingites about their support for different forms of energy.
"The majority of our respondents in the survey basically said, 'We want everything. We want oil. We want coal. We want renewables,'" she said. "People are interested in carbon sequestration and storage, they're interested in nuclear energy, but they need more information."
Natural gas was at the high end with 83 percent support, while coal was at the low end with 63 percent support. Oil, solar, and wind fell somewhere in between.
Western said the concerns around the state's energy future had three main themes: the environment, the economy and overall quality of life.
"There was really a desire in all three themes for decision makers in the state to be more outward-facing and more forward-looking, and bottom line, being willing to take more risks," she said.
Western said this study gives decision makers support to explore all forms of energy development.
Have a question about this story? Please contact the reporter, Ashley Piccone, at apiccone@uwyo.edu.
