CASPER, Wyo. (AP) - The U.S. Department of Energy has given the University of Wyoming nearly $10 million to see if 50 million tons (45 million metric tons) of carbon dioxide can be stored underground north of Gillette.
The Casper Star-Tribune reports that the greenhouse gas poses a long-term risk to Wyoming, which is the largest coal-producing state. The study will see if the gas can be captured from coal-burning plants and stored underground.
About 40 percent of the coal burned in U.S. power plants comes from Wyoming’s Powder River Basin and the industry is a crucial piece of the state’s economy. However, from current and pending regulations on carbon dioxide emissions to customer preference for cleaner energy sources in other parts of the country, a host of factors threaten the future use of Wyoming coal.
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Information from: Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune, http://www.trib.com
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