renewable energy

A new scientific analysis shows the U.S. is generating more electricity from wind and solar than ever before, and several states in the Mountain West are helping lead the charge. However, the future growth of wind and solar is uncertain.

Close to 100 people filled out the survey that will help shape the policies and sustainable initiatives Park County Citizens for Sustainability pursues.

An effort to ban new large wind or solar projects in Wyoming until 2030 has failed amid large public pushback. Many testified it would put a ‘closed for business’ sign on Wyoming.

President Trump is promising a ‘golden age’ for America, with a focus on fossil fuels. This could have positive financial implications in Wyoming, where fossil fuels are the backbone of the state’s economy. But, because of supply and demand could mean a ‘net wash’ in state revenue.

There are a lot of energy-related bills in this year’s Wyoming legislative session. Two have received a lot of public outcry recently. One would roll back electricity sales tax, which could cripple small towns, as it’s a revenue they depend on. Another would likely make it more expensive to have rooftop solar. Opponents say it’d remove most of the incentives to use the technology. Wyoming Public Radio’s Caitlin Tan and WyoFile’s Dustin Bleizeffer break the proposals down.

Lawmakers are formally asking Wyoming’s governor to put fossil fuels above wind and solar. But one senator testified this week to a committee at the Capitol that that’s already happening.

Nearby smoke plumes can drop generation substantially, but smoke that blows in from distant blazes appears to have only a "modest" effect.

A bill that some say could devastate the rooftop solar industry passed a Senate committee. It would likely lower how much solar users are compensated for the electricity they put back into the power grid and add fees. Supporters say it’s necessary to prevent a utility cost shift to non-solar users, but many say that’s not currently happening.

One effort to put lawmakers in the driver's seat of approving large energy projects has died, but another similar effort trudges forward.

Among the flurry of executive orders from President Donald Trump this week was one targeting a massive wind energy project in Idaho. Some officials and activists are applauding the move.