CHEYENNE, WY – The Wyoming Energy Authority (WEA) announced today that it awarded contracts for two recent requests for proposals (RFPs) – one to study the economic impacts of energy development in Wyoming, and the second, a comprehensive Wyoming coal resource study.
Deloitte Consulting LLP has been awarded the contract to conduct a comprehensive study on the economic impacts of the energy industry in Wyoming. The Wyoming State Legislature directed the WEA to pursue this study through the Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 43, which was passed during the 2025 legislative session. This study’s objectives include analyzing the economic impact of energy production within Wyoming, analyzing the economic impact of the Energy Matching Funds program’s investments in Wyoming energy projects, comparing Wyoming’s energy production portfolio, benchmarking Wyoming’s energy production against other states and countries, quantifying the energy industry’s contributions to state and local tax revenues, assessing employment and payroll data related to energy production, identifying both tangible and intangible economic benefits generated by the energy industry, documenting energy-related innovations developed by Wyoming producers.
Energy Ventures Analysis, Inc. (EVA) has been awarded the contract to conduct 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 Wyoming. EVA will be subcontracting with the Energy Policy Network (EPN), which has previously worked with the State of Wyoming on regulatory and demand market initiatives, as well as the Sheridan, Wyoming-based Western Water Consulting (WWC Engineering).
The goals of this in-depth study are are to determine the status of Wyoming coal reserves within the Powder River Basin and Green River Basin; characterize the coal demand markets for thermal coal; determine capital investment interest in the construction of new coal-fired generation plants within the US market; evaluate new coal leasing required to provide a stable long term coal supply; determine what potential exists for increased coal export, review infrastructure that needs to be enhanced or built, and include timeframes for permitting and construction; define key regulatory constraints to leasing, permitting, mining, burning or using, and exporting Wyoming coal resources; and provide recommendations to regulations and policy reforms that would keep the thermal coal supply and demand markets viable for Wyoming coal.
Work on both studies will commence immediately. The Energy Impact Study has an anticipated completion date of October 1, 2025; the Wyoming Coal Study’s completion date is December 30th. 2025.
