Coal deregulation benefits Wyoming

“Beautiful, clean coal,” is the phrase President Donald Trump used last week in announcing his executive orders removing federal regulatory barriers that undermine coal production.

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and the Wyoming congressional delegation were at the White House at Trump’s invitation to celebrate the signing.

In a prepared statement, Gordon said, “This is a great day for Wyoming coal.”

We agree.

It will also be great for the state of Wyoming, which produces more coal than any other state and has vast coal reserves.

Not only will jobs be created in the coal industry, but additional taxes will pour money into the state’s Permanent Wyoming Mineral Trust Fund and provide additional revenue for the state’s annual budget.

According to the Wyoming Taxpayers’ Association, depending on the year, about half of the state’s budget is supported by taxes paid by the minerals industry, with another 20-30% paid with interest earnings from the mineral trust fund. The state budget relies on the mineral industry for 60-80% of its revenues.

Gordon said, “ These executive orders will be impactful for our state’s coal industry and will help ensure Wyoming coal is available to help meet our nation’s growing energy demand.”

The February 2021 winter storms in Texas provided abundant evidence that wind and solar energy alone are not sufficient to supply all of our nation’s energy needs.

In more good news for Wyoming, in response to President Trump’s rollbacks of fossil fuel regulations, PacifiCorp, parent company of Rocky Mountain Power, has delayed the retirement date for the Dave Johnston coal-fired power plant near Glenrock.

Conservation groups were quick to condemn the president’s executive orders.

Rachael Hammy, director of The Center for Western Priorities Policy said, “ “The free market has already made it clear that renewable energy sources are a cheaper and healthier path to meet America’s energy needs.”

Wyoming has an abundance of coal. With the easing of federal regulations,  it is now incumbent on the coal industry, the University of Wyoming and state officials to make certain it is used in a clean, efficient manner.

In time we shall see how this all shakes out, but for now we are optimistic for the future of Wyoming’s energy industry.