In 2020, Wyoming passed a groundbreaking law requiring utilities to generate some power from coal plants equipped with carbon capture technology. This law was a bold move to save the state’s coal industry, which produces 40% of the nation’s coal and relies heavily on fossil fuels for revenue.
The Vision: Carbon Capture for Coal’s Future
Wyoming has invested heavily in researching how to capture and store carbon dioxide from industrial emissions. State lawmakers have created incentives and regulations to promote carbon capture. While other states are moving away from fossil fuels, Wyoming is doubling down on coal, hoping to keep the industry alive while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Reality: High Costs and Environmental Concerns
Despite the ambitious vision, the reality is proving challenging. Recently, two major utilities, Rocky Mountain Power and Black Hills Energy, reported to regulators that retrofitting their plants with carbon capture technology would cost hundreds of millions of dollars. These costs would likely result in higher electricity bills for customers.
The utilities also raised concerns about the environmental impacts of carbon capture. They pointed out that operating the equipment could increase water usage at coal plants and lead to higher emissions of certain air pollutants, along with more solid and liquid waste.
A Broader Context: National and Local Efforts
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has been touted by energy companies, labor unions, and several presidential administrations as a way to continue using fossil fuels while reducing emissions. The Biden administration’s climate policy includes significant support for this technology, with last year’s infrastructure bill allocating over $12 billion to carbon capture projects.
Wyoming: The Perfect Test Case?
Wyoming, with its abundant coal reserves and suitable geology for storing captured carbon dioxide, is seen as an ideal place to test and develop carbon capture technology. Political leaders in the state are strongly backing CCS as a way to protect the coal industry. Dan Zwonitzer, who sponsored the 2020 carbon capture bill, emphasized the state’s commitment to finding ways to make coal viable for the future.
Challenges and Skepticism
Despite strong support and favorable conditions, carbon capture technology has struggled to gain commercial traction in Wyoming and elsewhere. Many experts argue that there are cheaper and cleaner ways to reduce emissions from the power sector. Dan Cohan, an environmental engineering professor at Rice University, believes that the economics of carbon capture don’t add up, and other methods are more cost-effective.
Mixed Reactions and Future Uncertainty
Some carbon capture companies disagree with the utilities’ negative assessments, while other supporters acknowledge the challenges but insist that CCS is necessary to meet global climate goals. They argue that the federal government should bear the costs of implementing this technology.
However, the utilities’ filings suggest a lack of confidence in carbon capture. They would prefer to convert coal plants to natural gas or shut them down altogether rather than invest in carbon capture equipment. Even Zwonitzer admits that the state is not as far along with CCS as he had hoped when the bill was passed.
Conclusion: A Rocky Road Ahead
Wyoming’s bold experiment with carbon capture faces significant hurdles, from high costs to environmental and logistical challenges. As the state grapples with these issues, the future of its coal industry and the role of carbon capture technology remain uncertain.
