The Wyoming Energy Authority has outlined a request for proposals that will allow for a comprehensive Wyoming coal resource study, including supply, demand, investment interest, current and future mining constraints, the potential for exports and infrastructure needs, and regulatory barriers and reforms needed to maintain a viable long-term thermal coal market for the state.
According to the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, the goals of the study are extensive, including determining the status of Wyoming coal reserves within the Powder River Basin and Green River Basin. Other targets include characterizing coal demand markets for thermal coal; determining capital investment interest in the construction of new coal-fired generation plants within the U.S. market; evaluating new coal leasing required to provide a stable coal supply; determining what potential exists for increased coal export, review infrastructure that needs to be enhanced or built, and include timeframes for permitting and construction; defining key regulatory constraints to leasing, permitting, mining, burning or using, and exporting Wyoming coal resources; and providing recommendations to regulations and policy reform that would keep the thermal coal supply and demand markets viable.
The full RFP is available at tinyurl.com/wyoenergy-rfp. Submissions are due April 25 by 5 p.m. MST. Visit wyoenergy.org/grants/ for more information.