As Wind Power Lifts Wyoming’s Fortunes, Coal Miners Are Left in the Dust

[mahatmakanejeeves]

As Wind Power Lifts Wyoming’s Fortunes, Coal Miners Are Left in the Dust

By CORAL DAVENPORT JUNE 19, 2016

GILLETTE, Wyo. — After Kullin Orcutt lost his job at the Peabody coal mine this spring, he knew what he needed to do: join the exodus. “Leave Gillette, leave the state,” he said. ... Mr. Orcutt is a third-generation miner and one of 592 coal workers who have been laid off here since January. Thousands more job cuts are expected this summer.

More people will follow Mr. Orcutt. While many businesses in Gillette are struggling to stay open, a U-Haul dealer has been nearly sold out since the school year ended this month.

But 200 miles to the southwest, in Carbon County, where Wyoming’s first coal mine opened a century ago, the mood is different. The last coal mine closed a decade ago, but the county may soon be home to the largest wind farm in North America, if not the world.

“Coal is hurting, but wind power is our bright spot on the horizon,” said Cindy Wallace, the director of the Carbon County Economic Development Corporation. “Eventually, we could be the wind capital of Wyoming, the U.S., the world.”

[tonyt53]

1. Until the downturn in oil and gas last year, WV saw the same thing.

Three years ago in WV there were more people working in the oil and gas industry than there were the coal mines ten years ago.

About Peabody Coal/Energy - that company is the single largest contributor to Mitch McConnell. When Peabody petitioned Federal Courts to overturn their UMWA agreement that said they were responsible for employees, and widow/widowers healthcare and pensions, Mitch was asked to intercede on behalf of those people. So, Mitch cares more about the coal company than their employees? Without a doubt.

[Finishline42]

2. Nice find. But a wind farm without transmission lines is basically useless

The wind farm is progressing through the permitting stages but is dependent on approval of the TransWest Express Transmission line. Record of Decision due this month in fact. Would connect the proposed wind farm to the desert Southwest around the Las Vegas area.

link to the power line project: http://www.transwestexpress.net/index.shtml

There are some that worry that if the transmission line were to be built it could also be used to transmit electricity from coal fired power plants.