Officials in Lincoln County are pressing the owners of the Kemmerer coal mine for more details as rumors circulate about potential layoffs at the site.
County Commission Chairman Kent Connelly told WyoFile on Monday that he and others have heard about communications workers received from mine management concerning pending layoffs.
The company has “put out no press release, given us no numbers,” Connelly told WyoFile by phone. “The people who work there have said that [the company has] talked to them about it. Beyond that, I can’t get an official thing out of the mine at all. We would like to know what’s happening.”
Kemmerer Mayor Robert Bowen said he’s also heard the same reports spreading around the community in recent days without confirmation from the company.
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“At this point, I’m not saying it’s not going to happen,” Bowen told WyoFile via phone, “but I’m just skeptical about anything I hear until it does happen, just because I’ve heard so many rumors that, you know, half the time it turned out be false.”
Kemmerer area residents listen to public comment during a January 2020 Wyoming Public Service Commission meeting. Some in the crowd wore safety clothing suggesting employment at the mine, power plant or railroad. (Andrew Graham/WyoFile)
The mine owner, ECC Capital Corporation, did not respond to WyoFile’s inquiries before publication of this story.
Rumors of layoffs have circulated since the Southern California-based “specialty finance and asset management company” acquired the mine from PhenixFIN Corporation last year. The previous owner, Westmoreland Coal Co., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018. In addition to serving the nearby Naughton coal- and natural gas-fired power plant, the mine ships coal to trona operations in southwest Wyoming for boiler systems used in refining processes, as well as out-of-state electrical generation customers, according to local officials.
The mine produced 2.4 million tons of coal in 2024 and employed 215 workers, according to federal data. It produced more than 4.2 million tons in 2017 and employed 279 workers in the fourth quarter of that year.
Bust or boom?
Though local officials are bullish on coal’s prospect for a potential turnaround under the second Trump administration and rising electrical demand, they can only brace for a range of short-term interruptions — from layoffs to a potential closure of the mine. Even as the mine faces uncertainty, the neighboring towns of Kemmerer and Diamondville — along with all of southwest Wyoming — anticipate huge industrial growth and a shortage of affordable housing to meet demands from new projects such as a major trona mining expansion and TerraPower’s Natrium nuclear power plant complex already under construction, Connelly explained.
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Naughton Plant and Kemmerer Mine. (Angus M. Thuermer Jr./WyoFile)
“I would think people [if they get laid off] would want to stay here,” Connelly said. “They would probably be trying to get hired on at these other places that are hiring.”
However, not every major industrial project that’s in motion is a sure thing, he added. While the Natrium plant and a trona expansion appear to be on track, other plans for a large solar farm and coal-to-products still face uncertainties.
“It’s 50 different things in this area around here,” Connelly said. “There’s a lot going on.”
Though there’s much promise for an expanding industrial economy in the region, local officials are still wary, Lincoln County Economic Development Director Robert King told WyoFile.
“You can’t really depend on anything until you see concrete going in the ground and buildings going up,” King said. “Too many things can happen in the process. We’ve got some high hopes, but until it actually happens, I’m just not going to hold my breath.”
Adding to the uncertainty is what appears to be a lot of chaos under the Trump administration, King said, noting confusion around federal employee layoffs and a freeze on federal grant and research programs that could make or break several industrial projects in the region.
SHOSHONI, Wyo. — A 12-year-old boy from Shoshoni is now the proud holder of the Junior 4-pound Line Class world record for bass after netting a 2-pound, 4-ounce largemouth in August. The boy, coincidentally with the last name Bass, caught the fish at Lake Cameahwait.
According to a release from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Tucker Bass and his father were fishing over the lake on a two-person kayak when the young angler reeled in the record fish. He did so on a rod and reel given to him by his grandfather.
Bass is the first Wyoming resident to hold a world record in any category for largemouth. The International Game and Fish Association oversees all world records for fishing and officially approved Bass’s catch in November.
Wyoming’s state record largemouth was caught in 2018 near Sheridan. A comprehensive list of all Wyoming record fish can be found here.
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“This is an exceptional accomplishment for a young angler,” WGF Lander Region fisheries supervisor Joe Deromedi said in the release. “Tucker’s record highlights not only his skill and dedication, but also the quality fishing opportunities we have in central Wyoming. It’s always exciting to see youth developing a lifelong passion for fishing.”
Bass, an avid fisherman, also earned Trophy Angler status in the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Master Angler program in August.
For more information on Tucker Bass’s record catch, see the Wyoming Game and Fish website.
Junior Line class 4-pound world record-holder Tucker Bass (WGF Department)
I know this is going to seem weird to read, but some people think Wyoming isn’t a real place. A fake fantasy world, they’ve only read about in books. Many who live in Wyoming are happy to hear that, because they won’t want to move here, but unfortunately, there’s a guy named Josh Allen who has confirmed that Wyoming is real.
READ MORE: Former Wyoming Coach Reconnects With Current NFL MVP
Josh has become a household name and a hero to young football fans everywhere. Even though the reigning NFL MVP wasn’t born and raised in Wyoming, he picked up on the Cowboy State’s traits. He is polite, kind, and does great things for others, including kids at the Oishei Children’s Hospital.
Josh’s impact on Wyoming is huge, and quite often, you’ll see social media posts from Wyomingites who are watching Josh play in Buffalo. Josh’s favorite wings restaurant ‘Double Dubs’ from Laramie, has won “People’s Choice” multiple times at the National Buffalo Chicken Festival in Buffalo.
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READ MORE: Josh Allen’s Return To Wyoming For Jersey Retirement
Now, Josh’s influence on Wyoming has been highlighted on an episode of the New Heights Podcast hosted by Travis and Jason Kelce. Travis (Taylor Swift’s fiancé) mentioned that when Josh was in Laramie having his jersey retired, the fans in the stands created a giant beer snake, and he was proud of Wyoming.
Josh actually called on a fan to lead the student section to create that beer snake. Check out this TikTok video where the MVP asked a fan to get it done.
@trainwrecksports When QB1 requests a beer snake, you better start drinking! 🍻 🎥 via Bills on IG #BillsMafia ♬ original sound – Trainwreck Sports
During the clip on New Heights, interestingly enough, Jason Kelce, who seems to be quite the tailgate party guy, had never heard of a beer snake, but luckily, Travis explained it to him. And, just like that, Wyoming is on the map.
NFL Most Valuable Player Josh Allen Makes Return to Wyoming for Jersey Retirement
Josh Allen quarterbacked the Cowboys from 2015-17, leading Wyoming to a berth in the Mountain West Championship game his sophomore season. He declared for the NFL Draft in 2018 and was selected No. 7 overall by the Buffalo Bills.
