New research seeks to answer key scientific questions about Sublette County ozone
Sublette County has an ozone problem. Ozone is produced by emissions from the oil and gas fields and contributes to smog, which can cause health problems. Several times in the past few years, ozone levels have exceeded federal limits, and the Environmental Protection Agency has given Wyoming three years to fix the problem. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality has been working with local residents and industry to come up with a solution. But that’s hard to do, because nobody understands the exact chemistry of ozone formation. Wyoming Public Radio’s Willow Belden reports that research funded by DEQ may finally be close to providing answers.
Pinedale residents discuss DEQ’s response to ozone problem
Last year, a task force of citizens, energy industry reps, and local leaders got together to tackle the ozone problem in Sublette County. They came up with a list of recommendations for the Department of Environmental Quality. Among other things, they called for tougher regulations on industry and more rigorous air quality monitoring. In January, the Department of Environmental Quality met with the task force to discuss how they would respond to the recommendations. They said nothing was off the table, but that some recommendations could take a long time to implement. Wyoming Public Radio’s Willow Belden spoke with residents and members of the task force to find out what they thought of DEQ’s response
Cloudseeding study comes to an end during a dry winter
The University of Wyoming is part of two weather modification studies. The first is the Wyoming Weather Modification Pilot Project, and the second, companion project is the Silver Iodide Seeding Cloud Impact Investigation, or ASCII. Both studies are trying to learn more about atmospheric processes and whether people can do anything to eke more moisture out of the skies. Professor Bart Geerts heads the ASCII campaign, which is finishing up its second and last year…
Governor reviews the legislative session
As the Wyoming legislative session winds down, Governor Matt Mead joins us to give his thoughts on the session. We start with the budget, where the governor vetoed three items. One area of concern is the lack of funding lawmakers gave the governor for forest fires and another is the legislature’s insistence that agencies propose more budget cuts. Governor Mead tells Bob Beck that can wait…
Freshman legislators reflect on their first legislative session as it near finale
For Wyoming’s lawmakers, the short legislative sessions are full of long days and myriad issues. Wyoming Public Radio’s Irina Zhorov reports that newly elected legislators have to learn a lot quickly, but they’re taking their knocks in stride.
Laramie residents opine on the legislature this session.
The Wyoming State Legislature heard a variety of colorful issues this session—from concealed gun laws, to abortion and gay marriage, to the controversy surrounding the removal of Cindy Hill’s main duties as Superintendent of Education. As the session comes to a close next week, Wyoming Public Radio’s Sara Hossaini talked to people outside of the Albany County Courthouse to see what issues they were following and how their representatives measured up.
Legislature works to improve education
The Wyoming legislature grabbed headlines early in the session by stripping powers from State Superintendent Cindy Hill. Now they they’re focused on ways to improve education. Wyoming Public Radio’s Bob Beck has more
Being Bahá'í in the Cowboy State
Most Wyomingites have long since taken down their Christmas trees and wrapped up their winter holidays… But for people who practice the Bahá'í faith, the Festival of Ayyám-i-Há – where families get together and exchange small gifts, is right around the corner.
UW MFA graduate LuLing Osofsky reads her poem, “The Pines”
LuLing Osofsky is a graduate of U-W’s graduate program in creative writing. She writes poetry and essays on topics as disparate as Jewish boxers who fought during the Holocaust and being Chinese in mostly white Wyoming. She graduated in 2012. This is poem called The Pines.
