Coal’s Comeback? Wyoming’s Role in Energy Security

Wyoming is burning it up in the coal industry! Thanks to new legislation passed during the recent legislative session, Wyoming will be the first state to build a coal-fired power plant in more than a decade. With a ten million dollar grant for construction and no set location in place, the possibilities for this project are endless.

Dig Deeper: The finer details of the project will be revealed in a official announcement of the project, expected before mid-April. This is a game-changing initiative that aligns with Wyoming’s mission to restore coal’s role in the energy landscape. As the nation shifts away from fossil fuels, Wyoming has felt the impact more than most. The last coal-fired power plant in the U.S. came online in Texas in 2013, while Wyoming’s most recent addition, Dry Fork Station, began operations in 2011. While the exact location remains unknown—aside from being near a coal mine and not in southeast Wyoming—one thing is certain: this project marks a significant step forward for our state, and we couldn’t be more excited.

WY it Matters: The United States is facing an energy crisis, with grid reliability concerns, rising energy costs, and increasing demand outpacing supply. As policymakers push for rapid transitions to renewable energy, traditional power sources like coal have been sidelined—leading to instability in energy availability, particularly in extreme weather conditions.

Wyoming, as a national leader in energy production, has an opportunity to be part of the solution. This project could provide much-needed stability to the grid, ensuring reliable and affordable energy while supporting jobs and economic growth in our state. Wyoming has always been an energy powerhouse, and with this project, we’re proving that coal still has a role to play in securing America’s energy future.