Energy Report

Thumbnail image for Who really defrauds workers’ compensation?

Who really defrauds workers’ compensation?

by Dustin Bleizeffer February 21, 2012

Did you know; of Wyoming’s 18,228 employers 1,212 of them are delinquent on their Wyoming Workers’ Compensation premiums — to the tune of $943,498.73, according to state officials? That’s 6.6 …

Thumbnail image for Go ahead and blame EPA, but don’t politicize the science

Go ahead and blame EPA, but don’t politicize the science

by Dustin Bleizeffer February 9, 2012

The notion that the best thing for our human health, environment and wildlife is more mining and drilling and less (or loosened) regulation somehow continues to gain traction in today’s …

Thumbnail image for Find the source in Pavillion

Find the source in Pavillion

by Dustin Bleizeffer January 30, 2012

Locker and his neighbors deserve a conclusive determination of the source of pollution, because their property values have fallen and any new long-term water supply system is going to come …

Thumbnail image for Can Wyoming put its mouth where its money is?

Can Wyoming put its mouth where its money is?

by Dustin Bleizeffer November 17, 2011

Wyoming coal — in terms that coal is one of Wyoming’s powerhouse economic drivers — is likely to continue to lose its share of the U.S. utility market to natural …

Thumbnail image for Keystone pipeline would benefit Wyo oil producers

Keystone pipeline would benefit Wyo oil producers

by Dustin Bleizeffer November 15, 2011

Oil pipeline capacity is a challenge that Wyoming officials wish to have as they look across the Colorado border with a bit of rig-envy at momentum building in Colorado’s Niobrara …

Thumbnail image for ‘American energy independence’ advocates also want to export

‘American energy independence’ advocates also want to export

by Dustin Bleizeffer October 28, 2011

Exporting a modest percentage of domestic oil and natural gas to high-paying markets overseas would likely be very good for our economy. Our Wyoming coal producers certainly intend to increase …

Thumbnail image for Mead declares carrot over stick in workplace fatalities

Mead declares carrot over stick in workplace fatalities

by Dustin Bleizeffer October 14, 2011

A united effort among industry and safety officials is crucial to identifying and implementing a smart strategy to make sure more Wyoming’s workers return home safe each night. But it’s …

Thumbnail image for State royalties go up in smoke with gas flares

State royalties go up in smoke with gas flares

by Dustin Bleizeffer October 7, 2011

With Wyoming’s shale oil industry still very much in its infancy, a large volume of state-owned natural gas is going up in smoke, and along with it a small fortune …

Thumbnail image for Former state legislator; ‘All we lack is some leadership’

Former state legislator; ‘All we lack is some leadership’

by Dustin Bleizeffer September 26, 2011

At a University of Wyoming forum on hydraulic fracturing on Monday, some attendees questioned whether Wyoming’s leaders are too chummy with the industry to fix identified regulatory loopholes and generally …

Thumbnail image for Do today’s spills stem from yesterday’s boom?

Do today’s spills stem from yesterday’s boom?

by Dustin Bleizeffer September 22, 2011

That the commission took a hard stance this week against two bad actors is commendable. But it can also be argued that the state is paying today for past leniency …

Thumbnail image for Wyoming’s cleaner coal efforts need national push

Wyoming’s cleaner coal efforts need national push

by Dustin Bleizeffer September 15, 2011

Bent on dismissing the urgency for the U.S. to address climate change, and reflexively insisting that coal is the victim of an anti-development agenda, Wyoming leaders are now in a …

Thumbnail image for Thank A Wyoming Worker this Labor Day

Thank A Wyoming Worker this Labor Day

by Dustin Bleizeffer September 1, 2011

Wyoming employers are lucky to have such a hard-working class of folks, and they deserve safe working conditions and decent pay.

Thumbnail image for Can technology turn drilling into sunshine?

Can technology turn drilling into sunshine?

by Dustin Bleizeffer August 25, 2011

When it comes to energy development, it’s crystal clear where Wyoming’s governor and its congressional delegation stand; Wyoming is open for business, and most any environmental concern can be satisfactorily …

Thumbnail image for Brinksmanship dims future of Wyo coal

Brinksmanship dims future of Wyo coal

by Dustin Bleizeffer August 11, 2011

When it comes to climate policy, Wyoming’s congressional delegation is engaged in the same type of brinksmanship that downgraded America’s credit rating and sent the stock market plunging on Monday. …

Thumbnail image for Would you like fracked or non-fracked?

Would you like fracked or non-fracked?

by Dustin Bleizeffer July 28, 2011

To take fracking away from the oil and gas industry would be like taking shovels away from coal miners. It doesn’t make practical sense. Fighting to protect our health and …

Thumbnail image for Judge: DM&E’s abuse of eminent domain cost landowners dearly

Judge: DM&E’s abuse of eminent domain cost landowners dearly

by Dustin Bleizeffer July 22, 2011

Judge: DM&E’s abuse of eminent domain cost landowners dearly
The potential to abuse Wyoming’s eminent domain laws was clearly noted this week in a ruling by U.S. District Judge William Downes.
On …

Thumbnail image for Oil and gas leaders seek to stem deaths on the job

Oil and gas leaders seek to stem deaths on the job

by Dustin Bleizeffer July 14, 2011

Beyond those efforts, exactly what WOGISA can and should do to help stem serious injuries and fatalities in the industry isn’t clear to it’s own members. Attendees in Rock Springs …

Thumbnail image for Wyoming wind and coal need natural gas bridge

Wyoming wind and coal need natural gas bridge

by Dustin Bleizeffer July 7, 2011

For more than 30 years, Wyoming leaders have professed the importance of adding value to the state’s mineral resources rather than simply exporting raw products — particularly coal. Companies have …

Thumbnail image for Fracking & Leasing; Fear and loathing in the Rockies

Fracking & Leasing; Fear and loathing in the Rockies

by Dustin Bleizeffer June 30, 2011

State and industry officials have repeated the “no documented case” mantra ever since the Pavillion fracking trial began many years ago. Rather than instill confidence in their ability protect drinking …

Thumbnail image for Wyoming’s low rig count worries policymakers

Wyoming’s low rig count worries policymakers

by Dustin Bleizeffer June 23, 2011

Having led the Rockies’ natural gas boom during the past decade, Wyoming policymakers get extremely nervous when rigs are busy drilling outside the Cowboy State.

“Some would say it’s not a …

Thumbnail image for Even toothless safety alliance is improvement

Even toothless safety alliance is improvement

by Dustin Bleizeffer June 16, 2011

WOGISA’s efforts to develop more workforce safety and development training is absolutely critical given the fact that Wyoming OSHA’s budget will be slashed 20 percent in 2013. The agency currently …

Thumbnail image for Gas industry pains over cost of coal

Gas industry pains over cost of coal

by Dustin Bleizeffer June 9, 2011

In its current rate increase request in Wyoming, Rocky Mountain Power is under scrutiny for having spent hundreds of millions of dollars in pollution controls for its fleet of coal-fired …

Thumbnail image for ‘Wild lands’ bullet dodged, oil still spills in Wyoming

‘Wild lands’ bullet dodged, oil still spills in Wyoming

by Dustin Bleizeffer June 2, 2011

‘Wild lands’ bullet dodged, oil still spills in Wyoming
The Obama administration’s announcement this week to dump the so-called “wild lands policy” was not unexpected. The policy was already dead in …

Thumbnail image for Rig count stuck in the mud

Rig count stuck in the mud

by Dustin Bleizeffer May 26, 2011

A lot of Wyoming towns are pulling for a resurgence in drilling beginning this year, particularly Douglas, Gillette, Casper and Rock Springs where the mineral extraction service industry is well …

Thumbnail image for Subsidy Cut Wasn’t a Rig-Killer

Subsidy Cut Wasn’t a Rig-Killer

by Dustin Bleizeffer May 19, 2011

Subsidy Cut Wasn’t a Rig-Killer
This week Wyoming’s congressional delegation cheered the demise of a bill that would have cut some tax breaks to the top five oil companies, a measure …

Thumbnail image for Cost of Solar Energy Revolution: Four Pints of Beer

Cost of Solar Energy Revolution: Four Pints of Beer

by Dustin Bleizeffer May 12, 2011

Cost of Solar Energy Revolution: Four Pints of Beer
Nevada is the latest among several states to consider a feed-in-tariff as a way to boost renewable energy, specifically small- to mid-scale …

Thumbnail image for Railroad wins in coal dust-up

Railroad wins in coal dust-up

by Dustin Bleizeffer May 5, 2011

Before you roll your eyes thinking this is another ploy by environmentalists to poke Big Coal in the eye, consider this; Suppressing coal dust from loaded trains is a matter …

Thumbnail image for Mead Touts Pro-Energy Stance

Mead Touts Pro-Energy Stance

by Dustin Bleizeffer April 28, 2011

Mead isn’t the first and certainly isn’t the only person to reject the either-or notion regarding energy development and conservation. If any community has the can-do attitude to embrace both …

Thumbnail image for A Heavy Workload for Wyoming

A Heavy Workload for Wyoming

by Dustin Bleizeffer April 21, 2011

I was visiting with a local geologist in Casper recently who was reminiscing about the heyday of Wyoming’s uranium industry in the 1970s. He was a young guy then, fresh …

Thumbnail image for Ozone spikes aren’t Mother Nature’s fault

Ozone spikes aren’t Mother Nature’s fault

by Dustin Bleizeffer April 15, 2011

Ozone spikes aren’t Mother Nature’s fault
Metropolitan-type smog pollution spiked past federal thresholds 13 times this winter and triggered 10 state-issued advisories, warning people in the Pinedale area to avoid going …

Thumbnail image for German officials say U.S. is ‘by-standing in the way’ of climate effort

German officials say U.S. is ‘by-standing in the way’ of climate effort

by Dustin Bleizeffer April 7, 2011

International efforts to address climate change solidified somewhat in December when nations agreed that more action is needed to meet a goal of containing warming to no more than 3.6 …

Thumbnail image for Permit numbers don’t tell the whole story

Permit numbers don’t tell the whole story

by Dustin Bleizeffer March 31, 2011

Environmental groups are correct to note that industry has a lot of active APDs to develop. But industry is telling the truth when it says a complex set of timing …

Thumbnail image for Wyoming coal is not partisan

Wyoming coal is not partisan

by Dustin Bleizeffer March 24, 2011

I come from Gillette, so I’m familiar with the time-honored tradition among many in the coal mining industry to declare during presidential campaigns that the Democratic candidate (fill in blank) …

Thumbnail image for Alarm is proper response to industrial disaster

Alarm is proper response to industrial disaster

by Dustin Bleizeffer March 15, 2011

Whether the public response to Japan’s nuclear crisis will be a measured level of scrutiny, an emotional punishment or an overconfident rejection of industry reforms remains to be seen.

Thumbnail image for Cozy relationship between Casper BLM manager, contractor deserves more scrutiny

Cozy relationship between Casper BLM manager, contractor deserves more scrutiny

by Dustin Bleizeffer March 10, 2011

When Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced a new code of ethics in the department in a 2009 press conference, he proclaimed, “There’s a new sheriff in town,” specifically naming the …

Thumbnail image for Ciris agrees to fine, monitoring, after rogue injections into coal aquifer

Ciris agrees to fine, monitoring, after rogue injections into coal aquifer

by Dustin Bleizeffer March 8, 2011

But both Ciris and the microbial stimulation proposal has faced scrutiny from the Powder River Basin Resource Council, which advocates on behalf of many rural landowners in the region. Many …

Thumbnail image for State says microbe gas company broke the rules

State says microbe gas company broke the rules

by Dustin Bleizeffer March 4, 2011

Before Ciris Energy Inc. successfully lobbied for a new law allowing for the microbial production of coal-bed methane gas in Wyoming, it got in trouble under the state’s existing rules.

Ciris …

Thumbnail image for Pavillion investigation focuses on pollution source

Pavillion investigation focuses on pollution source

by Dustin Bleizeffer February 25, 2011

This new emphasis on pits and well bores may please local residents as well as industry. Residents say it’s essential to understand the source of the pollution to avoid long-term …

Thumbnail image for Sullivan: I was right to veto nuclear waste

Sullivan: I was right to veto nuclear waste

by Dustin Bleizeffer February 18, 2011

Nearly 20 years later, Sullivan said he can look back on his decision to veto the temporary storage site in Wyoming and say that he got it right. The federal …

Thumbnail image for Why the defeatist attitude toward carbon sequestration?

Why the defeatist attitude toward carbon sequestration?

by Dustin Bleizeffer February 4, 2011

In 1969 the U.S. set off a 40 kiloton nuclear bomb underground near Rulison, Colo., to “stimulate” natural gas production. But, hey, it’s the slow, monitored injection of CO2 that’s …

Thumbnail image for Interior official: Modernize the grid

Interior official: Modernize the grid

by Dustin Bleizeffer February 1, 2011

The investment is critical to increasing the use of solar, wind, geothermal and other renewable sources, as well as cleaner coal technologies such as carbon capture and seqestration, said Steve …

Thumbnail image for Shifting markets haven’t tripped up PRB coal

Shifting markets haven’t tripped up PRB coal

by Dustin Bleizeffer January 27, 2011

Naturally, there’s some concern among Powder River Basin producers that eastern utilities will tap coal resources closer to home that have higher Btu content and lower transportation costs. But there’s …

Thumbnail image for Wallis bill requiring a bond to protest energy dies

Wallis bill requiring a bond to protest energy dies

by Dustin Bleizeffer January 20, 2011

House Bill 51, “Industrial and energy development protection,” sponsored by Rep. Sue Wallis, R-Recluse, died in committee on Wednesday. As introduced, the measure would have required individuals and organizations that …

Thumbnail image for Bill to increase split-estate bond dies

Bill to increase split-estate bond dies

by Dustin Bleizeffer January 18, 2011

Usually, the oil and gas developer strikes a “surface use agreement” with the surface owner, which involves paying a fee to the owner for damages and loss of permanent or …

Thumbnail image for Wallis wants energy protesters to post a bond

Wallis wants energy protesters to post a bond

by Dustin Bleizeffer January 15, 2011

At least one Wyoming lawmaker believes that anyone who wants to challenge an energy or industrial development permit ought to put up a bond to make up for any delay …

Thumbnail image for Utility: Rising price of coal drives rate increase

Utility: Rising price of coal drives rate increase

by Dustin Bleizeffer January 5, 2011

In Rocky Mountain Power’s current rate increase request of 17.3 percent for Wyoming customers, utility officials say the rising cost of coal is a bigger factor.

“One of the single biggest …

Thumbnail image for Nuclear energy’s future unclear

Nuclear energy’s future unclear

by Dustin Bleizeffer December 31, 2010

Given Russia’s control over the vast natural gas resource in the region, turning off all of Germany’s nuclear power by 2034 sounded a bit drastic — or is it optimistic?

Later, …

Thumbnail image for U.S., European Diplomats Call for Renewed Trans-Atlantic Relationship

U.S., European Diplomats Call for Renewed Trans-Atlantic Relationship

by Dustin Bleizeffer December 21, 2010

Diplomats from the U.S., Germany and the European Union seemed to agree that 99 percent of what came out in the latest Wikileaks purge came as no surprise, but it …

Thumbnail image for Berlin Energy Study — the Green Party

Berlin Energy Study — the Green Party

by Dustin Bleizeffer December 14, 2010

Why should Wyoming care about Germany’s energy policies? Because Wyoming’s energy resources are tied to international markets and policies. Powder River Basin coal is making its way to China (perhaps …

Thumbnail image for Environmental Concerns Trip Up California Renewable Energy Stance

Environmental Concerns Trip Up California Renewable Energy Stance

by Dustin Bleizeffer December 10, 2010

California’s recent policy stance to give preference to instate renewable energy development over out-of-state sources (a move inspired by the need to spur job growth in the financially-strapped state) may …