Policy

WyoFile delves into the deepest elements of Wyoming’s public policies, uncovering, exposing and explaining the often unseen forces that shape the state’s people, landscape, wildlife, economy and communities.

Energy Thumbnail image for Aftermath: Wyoming stuck with abandoned gas wells

Aftermath: Wyoming stuck with abandoned gas wells

May 21, 2013

Low gas prices and bankruptcies leave landowners and the state stuck with collecting fees and cleaning up abandoned gas wells in the Powder River Basin.

Environment Thumbnail image for Study: Decline of cutthroat trout forces grizzlies to eat more elk

Study: Decline of cutthroat trout forces grizzlies to eat more elk

May 21, 2013

The decline in the Yellowstone Cutthroat trout population has caused grizzly bears to shift their diet to elk calves in Yellowstone National Park.

Featured Thumbnail image for Wyoming: Where independent people rely on federal funds

Wyoming: Where independent people rely on federal funds

May 14, 2013

In the background of Wyoming’s independent Western ethos is the fact that the state gets billions in support from federal funds.

Environment Thumbnail image for Hunting a new kind of fugitive in the West

Hunting a new kind of fugitive in the West

May 7, 2013

The Rural West Initiative presents a video feature on the build-up of “fugitive” ozone gas emissions that are a invisible side effect of gas extraction.

Environment Thumbnail image for Grizzly bear delisting uncertain despite strong numbers

Grizzly bear delisting uncertain despite strong numbers

April 30, 2013

Wildlife managers are looking at white bark pine and new ways to track grizzly populations as they look to delisting the animals.

Energy Thumbnail image for GOP blasts White House request to boost fracking study funds

GOP blasts White House request to boost fracking study funds

April 30, 2013

The GOP criticized an Obama administration request for additional funds in an ongoing fracking study into the practice’s health and safety consequences.

Energy

Gov Mead wants White House to scrap climate consideration for coal exports

April 26, 2013

Gov Mead wants White House to scrap climate consideration for coal exports
By Dustin Bleizeffer
— April 26, 2013
Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead came out swinging at Pacific …

Economy Thumbnail image for Subsidair: Tiny Wyoming airline tops in federal support

Subsidair: Tiny Wyoming airline tops in federal support

April 23, 2013

Federal cuts may threaten the controversial Essential Air Service subsidy, which keeps Cheyenne-based Great Lakes Airlines flying high.

Featured Thumbnail image for Lawmakers watch as feds bring Obamacare to Wyoming

Lawmakers watch as feds bring Obamacare to Wyoming

April 23, 2013

Wyoming legislators dithered until the federal government stepped in to run the state’s health insurance marketplace. Now they’re calling that a great idea.

Energy Thumbnail image for Two Elk coal-fired power plant granted another delay

Two Elk coal-fired power plant granted another delay

April 2, 2013

After 17 years, Two Elk officials say they will begin construction in January 2014, if markets ‘solidify.’

Environment Thumbnail image for Groups say new management plan fails to protect sage grouse

Groups say new management plan fails to protect sage grouse

April 2, 2013

Conservation groups say a new BLM plan covering millions of acres in central Wyoming fails to adequately protect the habitat of the imperiled sage grouse.

Capitol Beat Thumbnail image for Legislature 2013 in Pictures

Legislature 2013 in Pictures

March 12, 2013

With camera in hand, reporter Gregory Nickerson uses photos to tell the story of the intense and sometimes playful nature of the 2013 Wyoming legislature.

Featured Thumbnail image for Reservation schools’ federal aid slashed in sequestration

Reservation schools’ federal aid slashed in sequestration

March 12, 2013

Districts fear cuts to Impact Aid could eliminate teacher aides, reading teachers, nurses and counselors not funded by state.

Environment Thumbnail image for Wildfires force grazing lessees off some federal lands

Wildfires force grazing lessees off some federal lands

March 12, 2013

1,200 head of cattle displaced for about two years while federal lands are allowed to recover.

Featured Thumbnail image for Watch: Capitol Beat meets Wyoming Chronicles

Watch: Capitol Beat meets Wyoming Chronicles

March 11, 2013

Capitol reporter Gregory Nickerson recently joined Wyoming Chronicles host Richard Ager and others to discuss Wyoming’s legislative session and what to expect next.

Featured Thumbnail image for Wyo’s distrust of feds permeated ‘weird’ legislative session

Wyo’s distrust of feds permeated ‘weird’ legislative session

March 5, 2013

Wyoming tackled hard issues the legislative session, and spent significant time fighting federal overreach. Distrust of the Fed came with a $737 million price tag.

Energy Thumbnail image for Emission questions loom large over oil and gas industry

Emission questions loom large over oil and gas industry

March 5, 2013

Drillers want 24,000 new gas wells while Wyoming still struggles to prove it has solved its wintertime ozone problem.

Featured Thumbnail image for Why is the GOP so willing to throw people out of work?

Why is the GOP so willing to throw people out of work?

March 5, 2013

Sen. John Barrasso says the president is trying to scare Americans about sequester cuts, but it’s the GOP’s plan we should fear.

Featured Thumbnail image for Wyo lawmakers revisit school accountability law after Hill clash

Wyo lawmakers revisit school accountability law after Hill clash

February 26, 2013

Supt. Cindy Hill’s ouster from the Dept. of Education puts into action an accountability law that revamps Wyoming’s school system, but critics question it.

Environment Thumbnail image for Yellowstone Park seeks compromises on snowmobiles

Yellowstone Park seeks compromises on snowmobiles

February 26, 2013

A new winter-use plan may finally strike a balance between environmental concerns and tourism interests in the long-running dispute over snowmobiles.