Inside Energy

Today, the Trump Administration kicked off the formal process of repealing an Obama-era rule called the Clean Power Plan. But many in Colorado think the state will stay the course on reducing carbon emissions. Inside Energy’s Leigh Paterson reports.

Wyoming and the country of Japan are working out a relationship over coal. Wyoming wants to export that coal, and Japan wants to buy it. Both want to figure out an affordable way to clean up coal emissions. Inside Energy’s Madelyn Beck reports on how this mutually beneficial relationship is facing challenges on all fronts.

Since January, President Trump has ordered systematic rollbacks of Obama-era environmental regulations. He’s voiced an intent to focus on energy development and jobs over environmental regulation. Many of these rules were crafted by Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency under Gina McCarthy. She was E-P-A Administrator during his second term. They focused on taking strong steps against climate change. For Inside Energy, Wyoming Public Radio’s Cooper McKim spoke with McCarthy during her visit to Wyoming, and gets her reaction to these drastic changes.

Over eighty percent of new wind power last year went up in states that voted for President Donald Trump. It may sound strange when Trump’s aim is to bolster coal, not wind, but what red states usually promote is individual choice and a smart use of money. Inside Energy’s Madelyn Beck reports that wind power - both large and small - is literally changing Wyoming’s energy landscape.

Future development on vast swaths of western land is uncertain now that sage grouse is back on the agenda. The well-being of this chicken-like bird was the focus of a hard-fought deal- a compromise, between nearly a dozen states, finalized a few years ago. Now the federal government is asking for changes to that deal with energy development and jobs in mind. Inside Energy’s Leigh Paterson teamed up with Wyoming Public Radio’s Cooper McKim to report on what it all means for compromise on major western issues.

Hurricane's Impact On Oil Raising Concerns From Wellhead To Gas Pump by Inside Energy

Superfund cleanups are a priority for Scott Pruitt, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. He wants to cut through red tape that has left more than a thousand sites still contaminated -- with everything from radioactive waste to lead. He also wants to remove sites that have already been cleaned up from the so-called National Priority List which has more than 1300 sites. Inside Energy’s Dan Boyce visited a town in western Colorado that’s been on that list since 1986.

The U.S. used to be the world’s number one uranium producer, and most of it came from Wyoming. But since the 1980s, production has fallen off a cliff. Prices are at rock bottom. That may be about to change -- uranium’s biggest customer is the nuclear energy industry. In coming years, hundreds of new nuclear reactors are planned for China and India. Uranium companies in the U.S. are hoping to gear up for a boom.

How Much Oil Does North Dakota Have? by Inside Energy

Lightning And Oil Country: A Volatile Mix by Inside Energy

People and oil and gas development don’t always make good neighbors. This is especially true in northern Colorado where tensions among residents, energy producers, and lawmakers are playing out in battles over drilling projects. But the uncomfortable intersection of tons of people living on top of rich fossil fuel resources is forcing communities and companies to figure it out. Inside Energy’s Leigh Paterson reports.

Colorado’s governor is stepping up regulations on the state’s oil and gas industry. Tuesday’s announcement follows a home explosion in April that killed two people. One controversial issue the new measures do not change -- how far the state’s expanding oil and gas operations can be from homes. Inside Energy’s Leigh Paterson reports.

Wyoming's Republican politicians have come out swinging against a proposal from West Virginia for a federal subsidy for Appalachian coal. Representative Liz Cheney called the idea unjust and bad economic policy. The proposal came from West Virginia Governor Jim Justice who recently switched to the Republican party. Our story comes from Glynis Board of the public media collaboration the Ohio Valley Resource

The U.S. solar industry is booming. Twice as much solar was installed last year as in 2015. But some say not everyone has reaped the benefits. Earlier this week, the U.S. International Trade Commission heard arguments that cheap solar imports have devastated solar manufacturing jobs. The case could have huge implications for the industry. For Inside Energy, KJZZ’s Will Stone reports.

Dakota Access Pipeline Upends Oil Transport by Inside Energy

President Trump idealizes a traditional view of American life, an America based on industry and lifting up the image of the blue collar working man. And no working man has been more lauded under this administration than the American coal miner. The economics for coal aren’t looking good, between regulations and low prices for natural gas and renewables. Still, Trump has been trying to fulfill his campaign promise to bring back mining jobs. Inside Energy’s Dan Boyce recently spent a weekend with a Colorado coal miner, for a perspective on the ground.

Battle Brews Over Methane Leaks by Inside Energy

There is a lot of natural gas locked underground in Western Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. Trouble is, it can be tough to get that gas to market. Enter President Donald Trump. The administration is signalling that a natural gas terminal in coastal Oregon denied a critical permit under the Obama administration could have new life. Inside Energy’s Dan Boyce has the story.

Oil Exports Bring Boom Times To Texas Port by Inside Energy

Central Oklahoma is still feeling aftershocks from a 4.2-magnitude quake that struck earlier this week. A key part in solving the earthquake crisis is managing the enormous amount of water that comes to the surface when oil and gas is pumped out of the ground. It's a billion-barrel-a-year problem the energy industry is working to solve. One promising alternative is reusing this wastewater instead of injecting it underground. Joe Wertz from StateImpact Oklahoma reports for Inside Energy.