Wyoming Governor Matt Mead announced a new statewide energy strategy today to reflect the "dramatic chance that has occurred in Wyoming's economic landscape since Mead released his first energy plan in 2013," as reported by the Casper Star Tribune this evening.
The 2016 Energy Strategy text, "Leading the Charge: Wyoming's Action Plan for Energy, Environment and Economy" can be found here.
The strategic framework articulates the following vision: "Wyoming will achieve excellence in energy development, production, and stewardship of its natural resources for the highest benefit of its citizens." The new initiatives in the 2016 Energy Strategy are intended to facilitate growth, broaden opportunities and add value to Wyoming's resources.
The prior blueprint for the state, the 2013 Energy Strategy, was a largely successful plan, with 28 of the 45 initiatives announced to be complete based on identified milestones. 13 of the initiatives are ongoing and will continue, as described in the 2016 Energy Strategy.
Reportedly, "[g]one from the strategy was an initiative to grow new foreign markets for natural gas and coal. In its place came measures designed to confront the new economic realities facing Wyoming fossil fuels, most particularly coal."
Governor Mead added a new focus on renewables and reportedly noted that Wyoming is the site of one of the largest planned wind farms in the U.S. The 2016 Energy Strategy notes that "Wyoming has the most Class 5-7 wind energy resources in the continental United States."
Nephi Cole, a policy advisor to Governor Mead, reportedly commented, "[w]e recognize times do change, and they always do. The framework was designed to be flexible to respond to the times."
One thing that will not change is Wyoming's dedication to stewardship of its unique landscapes and the abundant wildlife that inhabits the state. Natural resource conservation is a key component of the 2016 Energy Strategy. A related focus of the new plan, reclamation, also includes mine reclamation in light of pending bankruptcies for coal companies holding reportedly approximately $900 million in unsecured cleanup costs. The 2016 Energy Strategy describes reclamation efforts as a collaboration of partners.
According to the Casper Star Tribune, the news conference ended on a solemn note in light of the impact of commodity prices on the lives of Wyoming workers, but Governor Mead noted that although Wyoming could not control the global market for commodities, his strategy is aimed at positioning Wyoming for a rebound when market conditions improve.
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