Energy Report

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 …

Thumbnail image for Let’s Talk Energy

Let’s Talk Energy

by Dustin Bleizeffer December 2, 2010

A journalist acquires a heck of lot more information than ever appears in a traditional news article, and that’s what makes a blog so useful. I can quickly scratch out …

Thumbnail image for Niobrara Confidential

Niobrara Confidential

by Dustin Bleizeffer December 2, 2010

Investors and royalty owners itching to see initial production results from exploratory Niobrara oil wells may see a logjam of information released after the first of the year.

Wyoming Oil and …