Wyoming governor questions Rocky Mountain Power study

Rocky Mountain Power’s plan to wean off its coal-fired power plants is not pleasing Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon. The utility wants to examine early retirement of coal-fired power units in Lincoln and Sweetwater Counties.

But, Gordon says those plants employ hundreds of people, as do the mines that supply them with coal.

“I am deeply concerned to learn about this path that Rocky Mountain Power is moving down. This has significant impacts on all of Wyoming and revenue for schools and other services we all depend on. It also means a loss of jobs and changing people’s lives,” Governor Gordon said.

Gordon said the early retirement of the plans would hinder efforts to find solutions for reducing carbon emissions.

“I will be very engaged with Rocky Mountain Power over the coming months as they move towards finalizing decisions,” said Gordon. “I will advocate for a positive path where this utility and others are part of developing solutions rather than destroying communities and delaying progress on meaningful technological advances that keeps coal as part of a diverse energy portfolio and also address climate change.”

The Rocky Mountain Power Integrated Resource Plan has not been finalized. The utility is currently taking public comments. You can learn more about it here.