Pronghorn nixes plan for hydrogen plant, continues with wind, solar
Douglas Budget
The Pronghorn H2 Clean Energy Project — initially pitched as a $1.7 billion, 40,000-acre hydrogen extraction project in Converse County — has been cut to 30% of its original footprint. Now just 16,500 acres, the project no longer includes hydrogen extraction. Focus Clean Energy LLC founder Paul Martin said the wind farm and a solar farm will remain in place but be smaller and cost considerably less. This abrupt change comes just weeks after a judge struck down the Wyoming State Board of Land Commissioners’ approval of leases on state land, the Douglas Budget reports. Read the full story.
Casper, Laramie plasma donor businesses close suddenly
Oil City News
BioLife Plasma Services locations in Casper and Laramie abruptly shuttered Tuesday. Customers learned of the closures after notices were posted on the company’s apps and website. BioLife’s media relations confirmed the closures in an email to Oil City News. Plasma donors are compensated for their donations, earning up to $500 or more per month depending on promotional drives. Read the full story.
Proposed education funding bill would slash $6M from Laramie County School District 1
Cap City News
Proposed changes to Wyoming’s education funding model could leave Laramie County School District 1 with 143 fewer funded positions and a $6.2 million budgetary shortfall, district administrators warn. A state recalibration plan would raise student-to-teacher ratios for older grades, potentially leaving the district with dozens of teachers more than the state is willing to support financially. Coupled with a mandate to join the state health insurance plan — a move projected to cost the district $8.6 million and raise employee premiums — the legislation presents what officials call a threat to the district’s financial stability, Cap City News reports. Read the full story.
Cheyenne council tweaks proposed administrative inspection warrants
Wyoming Tribune Eagle
A Cheyenne City Council committee is proposing amendments to a controversial ordinance to allow administrative inspection warrants. The warrants would enable city officials to enter a property for safety or code-enforcement inspections when unable to get a property owner’s permission. Opponents contend the ordinance would violate people’s Fourth Amendment rights. In response, the city is looking at limiting the warrants solely to the Cheyenne Fire Rescue chief, city’s fire marshal and chief building official, among other changes, the Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports. Read the full story.
Senators help speed property transfer to Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation
Powell Tribune
Representatives of the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation met with the state’s U.S. senators to expedite the transfer of the property that houses the site’s historic hospital buildings from the federal government to the foundation. Sens. Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso, both Republicans, said they and their staff were working with the Interior Department to speed the release of the land to the foundation. Transfer of the property has gained urgency in recent months after four acts of vandalism in the hospital buildings, the Powell Tribune reports. Read the full story.
