Natural Resources & Energy

Wyoming strives to curb ozone levels to meet federal mandate

By Willow Belden • May 18, 2012

Sublette County is home to two of Wyoming’s major oil and gas fields … and emissions from the energy production have caused smog to form – a type of smog called ozone. Ground-level ozone can cause and exacerbate respiratory problems. It’s also a problem for legal reasons: ozone levels in Sublette County have exceeded federal limits several times in the past few years. Now, the Environmental Protection Agency is stepping in. It’s designating Sublette County a “nonattainment area,” which means Wyoming is obligated to fix the problem.

Wind River Reservation residents still worry about uranium waste in tap water

By Tristan Ahtone • May 11, 2012

Last week, the Department of Energy announced that uranium at nearly twice the legal limit had been found in the tap water of four households on the Wind River Reservation. The event marks another incident in a long and troubled history in the area. Wyoming Public Radio's Tristan Ahtone brings us this report on the find.

Douglas residents react to Chesapeake Energy gas leak

By Willow Belden • Apr 27, 2012

This week, there was an explosion at an oil rig near Douglas. Natural gas spewed from the well, and about 50 people were evacuated from their homes. Wyoming Public Radio’s Willow Belden visited Douglas shortly after the accident and put together this montage of residents’ reactions.

Barrasso defends position against environmental regulation

By Bob Beck • Apr 27, 2012

U-S Senator from Wyoming John Barrasso has been very critical of the Obama administration because of its position on such things as new air standards as it applies to the coal industry… and a number of other EPA-led provisions that, he says, will just kill jobs. Senator Barrasso joins Bob Beck from the cloak room just outside of the U-S Senate.

Increase in coal exports on the horizon

By Irina Zhorov • Apr 20, 2012

There are more new ports designed for coal export being proposed in the U.S. and Wyoming’s Powder River Basin coal producers are training their eye on the developments. With some of the most efficient economies of scale in the world, a larger percentage of PRB coal could be making its way across the ocean soon. What would that mean for Wyoming and the global community? Irina Zhorov reports.

Study warns Powder River Basin sage grouse could die out

By Willow Belden • Mar 26, 2012

A new report by researchers at the University of Montana warns that unless energy development slows down, sage grouse populations in the Powder River Basin could die out. The study, which was commissioned by the BLM, was meant to determine whether the sage grouse population there can survive, given current oil and gas drilling activities, and what would happen to the birds if more drilling occurred or if there were new West Nile Virus outbreaks. Wyoming Public Radio’s Willow Belden spoke with Dave Naugle, who co-authored the report. He says the sage grouse population in the Powder River Basin has already declined by 82 percent as a result of energy development.

U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis praises water quality dialogue

By Bob Beck • Mar 26, 2012

State Representative Cynthia Lummis joins us to talk about a number of issues affecting the state. The Wyoming Republican most recently had a discussion with the head of the EPA concerning water pollution in Pavillion. She tells Wyoming Public Radio’s Bob Beck the good news is that there seems to be a dialogue.

Tribes demand action and oversight for uranium clean-up

By Tristan Ahtone • Mar 9, 2012

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During this year’s Legislative session, lawmakers proposed a joint resolution known as the Riverton Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action bill. Tailings are waste left over from mining operations. In this case, the tailings in question are from uranium mining on the Wind River Reservation. The tailings have caused groundwater contamination, which many residents believe has led to health problems.

Flaming Gorge film goes on tour

By Willow Belden • Mar 9, 2012

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Starting next week, the group Trout Unlimited will be screening its new film “Green with Envy” in towns across Wyoming and Colorado. The film focuses on the proposed Flaming Gorge Pipeline, which would transport 81 billion gallons of water per year from the Flaming Gorge reservoir to the Colorado front range. Recently the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected the proposal for lack of sufficient information … but the developer plans to re-apply and move forward with the project. Colorado has rights to some of the water that flows through the river … but various agencies and environmental groups in Wyoming are adamantly opposed to the plan. I spoke with Charles Card of Trout Unlimited about the film his group will be showing. He says they oppose the pipeline project because it would lower the water level in the reservoir by about 120 feet.

Legislators demand funding for clean-up and monitoring of former uranium mill site

By Tristan Ahtone • Mar 2, 2012

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With only a week to go until the legislative session is over, Wyoming lawmakers are reviewing a number of bills, including a joint resolution requesting Congress to provide for increased monitoring and funding for remediation of the Riverton uranium mill tailings site. Tailings constitute waste left over from mining operations. Last year we brought you a story about the site in which the Department of Energy released data showing that uranium levels in the area had spiked as high as 100 times the legal limit, and while legislative action on the issue may sound good, it’s bringing up a lot of questions, and anger. Wyoming Public Radio’s Tristan Ahtone reports.

Researcher says coal-to-gasoline plant could have environmental and economic advantages

By Rebecca Huntington • Feb 17, 2012

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Company proposes boosting Wyoming’s energy economy with coal-to-oil plant

By Irina Zhorov • Feb 10, 2012

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The town of Medicine Bow is currently planning for a DKRW proposed coal to liquids conversion facility. The plant would be a financial boom for the state and bring jobs to the county. But this isn’t the first time Wyoming is looking into a project that would add value to its coal so it’s undergoing close scrutiny.

The science of Syngas

By Rebecca Martinez • Feb 10, 2012

Western Research Institute/credit: Rebecca Martinez

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DKRW Advanced Fuels has licensed technology from GE and Exxon-Mobil to transform coal into gasoline at a proposed plant in Medicine Bow. But theirs is just one system of creating liquid fuel. Wyoming Public Radio’s Rebecca Martinez spoke with some experts about how synthetic gas, or syngas, is made.

South African syngas allays oil supply worries, but at an environmental cost

By Diana Neille • Feb 10, 2012

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Coal-to-oil raises long-term environmental questions despite plans to capture CO2

By Willow Belden • Feb 10, 2012

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As we’ve just heard, existing coal-to-liquids plants emit a lot of greenhouse gases. But the proposed Medicine Bow plant is being touted as exceptionally green. Still, environmentalists have concerns about the plant’s effect on air quality and water reserves. And even if this plant is comparatively eco-friendly, future facilities may not have any incentive to follow suit.

DKRW turns to the state to finance Medicine Bow plant

By Irina Zhorov • Feb 10, 2012

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With An Uninterested Private Sector, Federal Loans May Be Only Option For DKRW

By Tristan Ahtone • Feb 10, 2012

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Medicine Bow readies for a boom

By Bob Beck • Feb 10, 2012

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Medicine Bow residents warily optimistic about proposed DKRW plant

By Sara Hossaini • Feb 10, 2012

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Most residents we spoke with seem to be excited about the opportunities DKRW could bring. Wyoming Public Radio's Sara Hossaini heard from some of them.

TONI GEORGE: My name is Toni George, owner of JB stop and shop in Medicine Bow, Wyoming. I’m very much for it.

Wyoming plans to use carrot, not stick, to reduce workplace deaths

By Willow Belden • Jan 28, 2012

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Wyoming has one of the highest rates of workplace fatalities in the nation. Recently, the state epidemiologist issued a report looking at why that’s the case and making recommendations about what should be done. Workers’ rights advocates are pushing for tougher penalties for companies that violate safety regulations. But for now, it seems the state plans to take a softer approach. Wyoming Public Radio’s Willow Belden reports.

The Coal Industry discusses the reasons for its positive safety record

By Bob Beck • Jan 28, 2012

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While the Oil and Gas industry has had a number of workplace fatalities, that has not been the case in Wyoming’s Coal Industry. Tim McCreary is Safety Manager for the Thunder Basin Coal Company. He tells Bob Beck workplace safety is a focus.

Geophysicist: Wyoming’s Warm Winter Is Nothing New

By Tristan Ahtone • Jan 13, 2012

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Wind River Tribes might head back to court over mineral mismanagement

By Tristan Ahtone • Jan 13, 2012

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In the class action lawsuit Cobell vs. Salazar, plaintiff Elouise Cobell accused the Federal Government of mismanaging nearly 150-billion dollars in royalties owed to Indian landowners due to the loss and destruction of records. The government agreed to a $3.4 billion dollar settlement – and government data estimates there are up to 8,000 possible beneficiaries here in Wyoming.

Natural Resources & Energy

Wyoming strives to curb ozone levels to meet federal mandate

Wind River Reservation residents still worry about uranium waste in tap water

Douglas residents react to Chesapeake Energy gas leak

Barrasso defends position against environmental regulation

Increase in coal exports on the horizon

Study warns Powder River Basin sage grouse could die out

U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis praises water quality dialogue

Tribes demand action and oversight for uranium clean-up

Flaming Gorge film goes on tour

Legislators demand funding for clean-up and monitoring of former uranium mill site

Researcher says coal-to-gasoline plant could have environmental and economic advantages

Company proposes boosting Wyoming’s energy economy with coal-to-oil plant

The science of Syngas

South African syngas allays oil supply worries, but at an environmental cost

Coal-to-oil raises long-term environmental questions despite plans to capture CO2

DKRW turns to the state to finance Medicine Bow plant

With An Uninterested Private Sector, Federal Loans May Be Only Option For DKRW

Medicine Bow readies for a boom

Medicine Bow residents warily optimistic about proposed DKRW plant

Wyoming plans to use carrot, not stick, to reduce workplace deaths

The Coal Industry discusses the reasons for its positive safety record

Geophysicist: Wyoming’s Warm Winter Is Nothing New

Wind River Tribes might head back to court over mineral mismanagement

Congress speaks out about EPA’s Pavillion report

EPA links water contamination with ‘fracking'

Coal communities: More than one side to the story

Lack of EPA support from Wyoming’s Congressional delegation could lead to unintended consequences.

Carbon sequestration research stands on rocky ground.

Sen. Rothfuss says Wyoming must push forward with carbon sequestration

Cause of Pavillion contamination still unclear, despite new data

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