Mead Gruver | Manufacturing.net

Steam rises from the huge boiler units at the coal-fired Jim Bridger Power Plant on Nov. 29, 2006, east of Rock Springs, Wyo. A Wyoming coal mine that supplies fuel to the nearby power plant that will be converted to burn gas instead of coal will lay off 19 workers. They're the latest of thousands of jobs lost in recent years in the beleaguered U.S. coal industry. Black Butte Mine Manager Steve Gili said Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, no further layoffs are planned after the layoffs in mid-December.

Wyoming Coal Mine Sheds Jobs Ahead of Conversion to Natural Gas

Most are heavy equipment operators, mechanics and other mine staff.

November 30, 2023

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, left, shakes hands with XPRIZE founder and Executive Chairman Peter Diamandis during an XPRIZE presentation event in Los Angeles, May 15, 2019. From algae farming to producing a sort of artificial limestone, ideas for reducing greenhouse gas in the atmosphere are getting a funding boost from famed entrepreneur Musk. The Tesla electric vehicle and SpaceX rocket company developer is bankrolling a $100 million XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition for the most promising ways to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide by grabbing the gas right out of the air.

Musk Awards Millions to Finalists in Carbon Trapping Tech Competition

The $100 million XPRIZE identifies the most promising ways to grab atmospheric carbon dioxide right out of the air.

April 22, 2022

Bill Gates speaks during the Global Investment Summit at the Science Museum, London, Tuesday, Oct, 19, 2021. A small city in the top U.S. coal-mining state of Wyoming will be home to a Bill Gates-backed experimental nuclear power project near a coal-fired power plant that will soon close, officials announced Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

Bill Gates Venture Picks Wyoming City for Sodium Nuke Plant

The project will employ as many as 2,000 people during construction and 250 once operational.

November 17, 2021

TerraPower Founder and Chairman Bill Gates speaks to the crowd in a recorded video message during the press conference Wyoming Capitol, Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Cheyenne, Wyo., announcing efforts to advance a Natrium reactor demonstration project. 'We think Natrium will be a game-changer for the energy industry,' Gates said by video link to a news conference hosted by Gov. Mark Gordon. 'Wyoming has been a leader in energy for over the century and we hope our investment in Natrium will help Wyoming to stay in the lead for many decades to come.'

Bill Gates Co. to Build Reactor at Coal Plant

The plant featuring a sodium reactor and molten salt energy storage system will perform better, be safer and cost less.

June 3, 2021

In this Nov. 29, 2006 file photo, steam rises from the huge boiler units at the Jim Bridger Power Plant, east of Rock Springs, Wyo. A law signed April 6, 2021, by Republican Gov. Mark Gordon creates a $1.2 million fund for an initiative that marks the latest attempt by state leaders to help coal in the state that accounts for the bulk of U.S. coal production, which is down by half since 2008. Wyoming coal production, which accounts for about 40% of the nation's total, has declined as utilities switch to gas, which is cheaper to burn to generate electricity.

Despite Trends, Wyoming Announces Plan to Prop Up Coal

Wyoming says it will sue other states that block the export of its coal.

May 3, 2021

In this Aug. 31, 2020, file photo, clients line up outside the Mississippi Department of Employment Security WIN Job Center in Pearl, Miss. The government issues the jobs report Friday, Sept. 4, for August at a time of continuing layoffs and high unemployment.

US Unemployment Rate Falls to 8.4%

Despite the drop, the economy has recovered barely half the 22 million jobs that vanished when the pandemic paralyzed the nation.

September 4, 2020

In this July 27, 2018, file photo, the Dave Johnston coal-fired power plant is silhouetted against the morning sun in Glenrock, Wyo. Wyoming's governor is promoting a Trump administration study that says capturing carbon dioxide emitted by coal-fired power plants would be an economical way to curtail the pollution — findings questioned by a utility that owns the plants and wants to shift away from the fossil fuel in favor of wind and solar energy. Supporters say carbon capture would save coal by pumping carbon dioxide — a greenhouse gas emitted by power plants — underground instead of into the atmosphere.

Wyoming Lauds US Carbon Capture Study; Utility Skeptical

PacifiCorp took issue with the study, saying it made a range of assumptions.

September 4, 2020

In this Monday April 13, 2020 photo Wyoming Mining Association Executive Director Travis Deti, seen here working from his home in Cheyenne, Wyo. Deti has been calling for help for the coal industry in the form of lower federal royalties and other aid. Analysts expect less electricity use during the coronavirus pandemic to lower demand for coal even below a previously predicted decline.

Virus Accelerates Coal's Decline

Binge-watching Netflix doesn't come close to making up for the energy not being used by businesses and schools.

April 19, 2020

Coal Ap

Regulators Oppose Coal Merger

The loss of competition would likely raise energy prices for consumers, according to the complaint.

February 27, 2020

Ky Coal Train Ap

WY, MT Seek Supreme Court Ruling on Coal

Washington state officials have said the denial wasn't an abuse of authority.

January 21, 2020