Natural Resources & Energy

The House Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee moved forward on a bill that would allow coal mines to become a disposal site for decommissioned wind turbine parts if it's part of the company's reclamation plan.

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon praised a number of groups for working together as he officially signed his migration corridor executive order.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $56 million to improve water quality for farmers in watersheds across the country, including one effort in the state.

On February 7, the Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Office (WSO) vacated its approval of an oil and gas well and associated pipelines within Jonah Energy's Normally Pressured Lance (NPL) project in western Wyoming. The WSO remanded its decisions back to the local field office.

Governor Mark Gordon and the Navajo Transitional Energy Company have agreed to a Limited Waiver of Sovereign Immunity. The move resolves a barrier for the Navajo Nation-owned corporation in acquiring its mining permits.

Back in October, NTEC paid the recently bankrupt coal company Cloud Peak Energy in order to assume operations of three mines: Cordero Rojo, Spring Creek, and Antelope.

Last year, the Wyoming legislature passed a bill called "New opportunities for Wyoming coal fired generation" requiring any utility retiring a coal plant earlier than scheduled would make a good faith effort to find a buyer.

Through the interim, legislators have been putting together a bill that would lay the groundwork for that to happen.

Girls who want to learn how to mountain bike in Cody will soon have the space to do that. This summer, Cody will be the first community in Wyoming to have a mountain biking organization dedicated to young women. Little Bellas is a national mountain biking organization with the goal to empower women through cycling.

The Pilot Hill Project recently released their draft plan outlining how the 5,500-acre parcel of land east of Laramie will be organized.

Adjusted for inflation, the natural gas spot price dropped to its lowest point in the shale revolution era. Fracking and horizontal drilling revolutionized the industry a decade ago, but the success has also cost producers with now record low prices hitting $1.77/million BTU today.

Highways and some ski resorts in our region have had to close in recent days due to high avalanche danger.

This past December, the City of Laramie commissioned the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) to create an emissions reduction plan with the end goal of net carbon neutrality - offsetting our carbon emissions with carbon removal techniques. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released its final version of a five-year step-down plan in December that aims to reduce elks' dependency on supplemental feed. 

Ramaco Carbon expects to open its Sheridan-based research park, iCAM, and associated campus early this summer. The Kentucky coal company wants to use the facility to research and develop new uses for Wyoming coal from rebar to car products.

Ramaco CEO Randy Atkins said iCAM will feature lab operations along with pilot facilities to work on new research and development. He said the scope of the project has actually grown.

The Trump Administration is looking at removing environmental review requirements from public land-use plans. The possible changes by the Bureau of Land Management is one of several suggestions in a document obtained by Bloomberg News.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements have long been part of land-use planning as the Bureau of Land Management balances energy production and conservation. Any plan must include a finalized environmental impact statement.

A stakeholder committee in Campbell County and Gillette is recommending a marketing firm to advertise the area as the Carbon Valley.

The Wyoming Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comment on proposed changes to a resource management plan and environmental impact statement for wild horse management in southern Wyoming. 

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is looking to open access on public lands for more recreation opportunities.

A planned natural gas pipeline is being challenged by opponents who say its approval might violate the Endangered Species Act.

A small community ski hill west of Cody announced in January that it's unlikely to re-open next winter season.