The Department of Interior under the Trump administration announced Monday that it's opening more than 13 million acres of federal land for coal leases. The Department of Energy is also investing $625 million to modernize coal plants and jump-start U.S. mining.
Wyoming Energy Authority Director Rob Creager hosted several out-of-state legislators last week from states that accept Wyoming coal for tours of mines and power plants to see how Wyoming handles its coal industry.
One of the things they wondered about is whether coal reserves are running low.
“I was like, ‘No, just look West,’” Creager told Cowboy State Daily. “’(Coal) keeps going as far as you can see.’ And they were excited to hear that because, again, for their constituents, they want affordable and reliable power.”
Wyoming has plenty of coal to ship to America for that affordable reliable power, and overseas if export avenues open up. In fact, the Cowboy State already produces 40% of America’s thermal coal all by itself, making it the nation’s largest state producer.
Monday’s DOI announcement has lots of people in Wyoming excited, including Creager. That’s because no matter where that money gets spent, it likely means that more Wyoming coal will be heading out to market somewhere.
“What we’re wanting to do is get more Wyoming coal shipped out,” he said. “That’s another great thing about this announcement.
