For many years, coal mining has fashioned the bedrock of Wyoming’s economic system. Thermal coal has supplied 1000’s of steady, well-paying jobs, introduced prosperity to rural communities and supported the state with thousands and thousands in severance tax revenues every year. Many don’t understand that Wyoming’s floor coal mining trade actually started to flourish as a result of passage of federal rules that created a marketplace for Wyoming’s low-sulfur coal. Identical to prior to now, financial headwinds can imply new alternatives for our state in surprising methods.
Whereas Wyoming’s thermal coal trade has thrived for many years, it’s now in a sluggish however regular decline because of different state and federal insurance policies. Nevertheless, increasing industries that the state is at the moment pursuing like hydrogen, wind, photo voltaic and nuclear power, carbon seize, manufacturing, carbon merchandise, knowledge facilities and power storage will all should be situated someplace. The belongings and services discovered on coal trade websites signify preferrred places for brand spanking new financial growth. Fairly than disturbing untouched land and disrupting wildlife migration corridors or essential habitat by creating new websites, why not repurpose these already disturbed areas?
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A brand new report funded by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) goes in-depth on the chance and challenges surrounding this modern idea. The Coal Infrastructure Reuse Report gives a list of coal trade belongings in Wyoming, gives particulars of previous initiatives which have efficiently repurposed infrastructure and examines how Wyoming would possibly use coverage or regulate modifications to make new initiatives extra profitable.
Every of Wyoming’s 36 coal trade websites embody thousands and thousands of {dollars} of funding by corporations in railroads, utilities, places of work, warehouses, outlets and extra. Most of those belongings can simply be reused, however present rules incentivize returning your complete web site to its authentic situation. To be clear, reclamation of business websites is normally a great factor. Retired mines needs to be reclaimed, and Wyoming’s coal corporations do a beautiful job of returning their websites to pure landscapes, seeded with native crops that pronghorn, mule deer and elk like to eat. However every of those websites have services that signify a misplaced alternative when they’re bulldozed and scrapped. Wyoming can and may seize the chance earlier than us by adjusting rules and supporting a brand new life for our industrial belongings. Doing so would entice mission builders, cut back new building prices and supply a future for these legacy websites, all whereas avoiding impacts to intact land.
State and county-level financial growth organizations can play an vital position. Huge new investments don’t occur in a single day, however neither do mine closures. Financial growth organizations, if well-funded and empowered, can coordinate with mining corporations and mission builders within the rising industries that Wyoming is trying to draw. They will promote the benefits of pre-built infrastructure, a workforce accustomed to the location and Wyoming’s high quality of life. It will deliver new initiatives and prosperity to mine websites. Whereas new financial funding is arriving, the state could be defending the intact prairie and rangeland that Wyomingites have hunted, fished and labored for generations.
With this report from TNC in hand, the groundwork has been laid for the success of the infrastructure reuse idea. Wyoming wants native governments to help modern initiatives with workforce coaching and re-zoning of services slated for closure. Wyoming additionally wants its state legislature and government management to empower state companies to make the repurposing of business websites a actuality.
There is no such thing as a higher solution to honor the legacy of the thermal coal trade in Wyoming than by repurposing its industrial infrastructure in order that the communities coal constructed can proceed to thrive. Doing so will deliver advantages to the mining corporations, the state, employees, our land and wildlife.
Full report at: nature.org/wycoalreusefull
Government abstract at: nature.org/wycoalreusesummary
Rusty Bell is the director of Campbell County Workplace of Financial Transition.