Wyoming
Wyoming Power Plants Can Charge Customers For Carbon Capture Retrofits
The Wyoming legislature Friday approved significant changes to allow utilities to delay the installation of coal-fired power plant carbon-capture retrofits until 2033, three years beyond a previous deadline imposed by state law four years ago.
The legislation, which went down to an end-of-session deadline to come up with a state budget, allows utilities to recoup the cost of retrofits from customers.
The Senate passed the conference report on Senate File 42 by a vote of 18-12, followed by a House vote of 36-17, with nine lawmakers who were excused from the final vote.
The opposition to the legislation came from the Freedom Caucus contingent in the Legislature, who are opposed to the concept of carbon capture.
They believe climate change is a scam and that the United States is wasting money pursuing technology to control carbon dioxide emissions.
There’s also some thinking that the caucus is using the issue as a political cudgel against the governor for his all-of-the-above energy strategy.
Bills Will Go Up
The legislation will now allow rate recovery from electricity customers as well as permit a utility to recoup federal tax credits provided it installs lower carbon-emission technology on its coal plants.
Specifically, the legislation permits a public utility to establish a rate recovery mechanism that collects a surcharge from customers not to exceed 2% of each customer’s total electric bill.
The legislation makes it possible for utilities to recover the costs they spend on carbon capture technology through the Wyoming Public Service Commission, which regulates public utilities.
“The coal industry supports the development and deployment of commercially viable carbon capture technologies for emissions,” said Travis Deti, executive director of the Wyoming Mining Association.
“Barring a significant shift in federal policy and regulations in the near future, this will be necessary to extend the life of our coal fleet and keep Wyoming’s coal resource viable,” Deti said. “Unfortunately, that’s just where we’re at right now.”
Other Changes
Rep. Donald Burkhart, R-Rawlins, chairman of the House Minerals, Business and Economics Development Committee, said previously during Senate debate on SF 42 that the legislation is needed to reflect shortcomings from the original law enacted four years ago.
Burkhardt said that the House-passed version now syncs up with federal tax laws to give power companies the ability to recoup some of the costs on investments through expiring tax credits associated with the new carbon capture technologies.
The goal is for public utilities with coal-burning power plants to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions rather than closing them down as other alternative power generating sources quickly come online, such as wind, solar, hydropower or even small nuclear plants.
The proposal exempts electric utilities with fewer than 10,000 customers, which is designed to help those smaller businesses that can’t immediately pay for carbon capture systems.
The proposal also changes to 75% the minimum standard of capturing greenhouse gas emitted into the atmosphere from the current 90% level.
The amended SF 42 also would require storage technology that annually captures not less than 18,750 metric tons of carbon dioxide emitted by a coal-fired power plant.
The level of emissions in metric tons, as spelled out in the legislation, equates to about 20,668 U.S. tons of carbon dioxide.
Pat Maio can be reached at pat@cowboystatedaily.com.
Wyoming
March 31 Deadline For Wyoming’s ‘Becoming An Outdoor Woman’ Workshops
Gaining the knowledge to become an outdoorsy type of person isn’t easy. It takes time, dedication, and the desire to sometimes get out of your comfort zone. Sure, if you grew up in the outdoors, but it’s been a while since you’ve actually been out hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping, you may be a little rusty, but you have a leg up on those who haven’t.
If you’re in Wyoming, there’s a good chance that taking advantage of the incredible outdoor activities we have available has crossed your mind, but where to start is the big question. Asking others for help is one way, but there’s sometimes an element of intimidation or embarrassment involved.
If you’re a woman looking for that help and want to avoid the intimidation, you should really check out the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) workshops this summer. It’s held at the Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp near Dubois, and everything you need to learn about the outdoors is provided, including food and lodging.
The registration deadline is March 31, meaning you have just a couple of weeks to apply for one or all of the offered workshops.
There are multiple options available depending on your level of outdoor knowledge.
Basic BOW Workshop: Introductory level camp teaching outdoor survival, basic fly fishing, backpacking, how to shoot, outdoor photography, and more. There will be two of these workshops, June 5-7 and August 7-9. $150
Fly Fishing Beyond BOW Workshop: The focus here is on fly fishing. Learn the basics and then put them to use. This workshop runs July 30 – Aug 2. $150
Backpacking Beyond BOW: This workshop is all about backpacking, hiking, cooking on the trail, adjusting to the trail, and preparing for the trip. You’ll learn how to properly pack your bag, set up camp, and then head out on an overnight trip. July 30 – Aug 2. $150
Become a BOW Instructor: Here’s where you put your years of experience to work by sharing your skills and knowledge with others, helping them learn the tricks and tips of the outdoors.
Not only will these workshops help get you started on a life in the outdoors, but you’re likely going to gain some street cred with your family when you can teach them the skills they’ll need to get out and celebrate a Wyoming lifestyle.
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Wyoming
Snowpack In The South Laramie Range At Just Three Percent Of Normal Levels
The snowpack in the South Laramie Range in southeast Wyoming as of Monday was at three percent of normal, according to the Cheyenne Office of the National Weather Service.
And while other mountain ranges in southeast Wyoming were not nearly that low in snowpack, they were still well below normal at last report.
The agency posted the following on its website:
February was yet another warm and dry month, continuing the pattern that has dominated our area since last fall. Mountain snowpack remains well below average in southeast Wyoming, especially in the Laramie Range where snowpack is at an all time record low. For the plains, some light snow fell last month, but it was not enough to keep from increasing seasonal snowfall deficits. Cheyenne is off to its 4th least snowy start to the season since records began in the 1880s, and Scottsbluff has received the 2nd least snow since record began in the 1890s. We are now approximately two-thirds of the way through the snow accumulation season, with a little more than one-third to go in March, April, and into early May.
But the good news is that after a wet 24 hours on Monday night/Tuesday, more snow may be headed our way on Friday.
Cheyenne, Laramie Forecasts
Cheyenne Forecast
Tonight
A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 11pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 24. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 55. West wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday
A slight chance of rain showers after 11am, mixing with snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night
Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all snow after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday
Snow showers. High near 32. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday Night
A chance of snow showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Breezy.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Breezy.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Breezy.
Monday Night
A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Tuesday
A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.
Laramie Forecast
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 20. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph after midnight.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 48. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
Increasing clouds, with a low around 27. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday
A slight chance of rain and snow showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night
Snow showers. Low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday
Snow showers. High near 31. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday Night
A chance of snow showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 39.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 25.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 48. Breezy.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 32.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.
Monday Night
A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
Tuesday
A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy.
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