Feature Articles

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Governor Mead Unveils Comprehensive Wyoming Energy Policy

The new policy calls for the Cowboy State to maintain its position as the top energy-exporting state while preserving its wild, scenic and pristine landscapes. Mead’s report outlines four priorities: Economic competitiveness, efficient regulation, natural resource conservation and developing new technologies.

15May2013 | | 0 comments | Continued
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Noise Pollution—The Environmental Battle
We CAN Win!

The coming of the industrial age ushered in an insidious threat—noise pollution. Whether the noise emanates from a nearby railway or superhighway, a manufacturing company or a construction operation, it impinges upon the population and does damage.

14May2013 | | 0 comments | Continued
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Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells on the Rise in Wyoming

There are some 1,200 “orphaned” wells in Wyoming that have not been properly plugged and reclaimed, creating potential risks to the environment and human health, according to Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission data.

10May2013 | | 1 comment | Continued
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Oil Company Sues Wyoming Counties

Tripower Resources LLC filed suit in Campbell County District Court in late March after Campbell, Crook and Converse counties each listed the company as tax delinquent in late August. According to each county’s treasurer, the company is on the hook for about $885,000 in production taxes from about
12 wells.

8May2013 | | 0 comments | Continued
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Report: Grand Teton National Park Under Threat From Oil and Gas Development

In an assessment of oil-and-gas drilling in or near national parks, the National Parks Conservation Association found that Teton is suffering effects from well fields as far away as the Upper Green River Basin, a major natural gas development area.

6May2013 | | 0 comments | Continued
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Fracking Is Draining Western Water, Says
Regional Group

Oil and gas extraction practices are permanently removing at least seven billion gallons of water from the hydrologic cycle each year in just four arid western states, according to a new report published by the Western Organization of Resource Councils.

29Apr2013 | | 0 comments | Continued
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Wind Power Produced 42% of All New U.S. Electric Generating Capacity in 2012

Despite nearly year-long uncertainty concerning the extension of the Production Tax Credit, 2012 was the best ever for domestic wind energy, according to the recently released U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report from the American Wind Energy Association.

24Apr2013 | | 0 comments | Continued
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Poll Suggests Energy Independence Trumps
Environmental Concerns

A new poll of American and Canadian residents suggests
a majority in both countries–74% of Americans, 68% of Canadians–either support or “somewhat” support the controversial pipeline, which has been the target of intense opposition by environmentalist groups and key Democratic lawmakers.

24Apr2013 | | 0 comments | Continued
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Wyoming Steps Up Enforcement on
Energy Industries

The commission, by delaying definitive action for two years, also risked human health and the environment in Wyoming. Violations of our environmental protections are serious, and they demand action. Oil and gas operations can even operate within regulatory boundaries and still create hazards.

15Apr2013 | | 0 comments | Continued
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European Industry Flocks to U.S. to Take Advantage of Cheaper Natural Gas

Among those most affected are energy-intensive industries such as steel and chemicals, because they use natural gas as a raw material and power source. With Europe lagging in energy production, manufacturers on the continent warn that a chain reaction could shift more and more investment to U.S. shores.

2Apr2013 | | 0 comments | Continued
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Huge Wyoming Wind Farm Delayed

Power Company of Wyoming, the organization behind what would be the country’s largest wind energy project, said it will wait until next spring to seek key state permits, likely pushing project construction back until fall 2014.

28Mar2013 | | 0 comments | Continued
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Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Address Pollution From Fracking Operations

Sponsors say the BREATHE Act would close a loophole in the Clean Air Act that currently allows the oil and gas industry to release large amounts of dangerous pollution into the air, and lists hydrogen sulfide as a hazardous air pollutant.

15Mar2013 | | 0 comments | Continued
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The Niobrara Shale Drives Colorado Oil Production to 50-Year High

The 48 million barrels-level hasn’t been seen in Colorado since 1960, and its thanks mainly to the bounty being pulled from the Niobrara. “The Niobrara is the King Kong,” said Pete Stark, vice president for industrial relations at IHS, a Denver consulting firm that tracks energy.

12Mar2013 | | 0 comments | Continued
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Emission Questions Loom Large Over Oil and Gas Industry

Regulators and natural gas producers desperately want to understand the recipe that triggers a wintertime ozone event. Future gas development here, or at least the pace of future gas development, may depend on it.

6Mar2013 | | 0 comments | Continued