Gov. Matt Mead's proposal to require groundwater testing at oil and gas drilling sites is getting favorable reviews from environmental advocates, landowners and industry representatives. Mead released a state energy policy on Monday that includes baseline groundwater testing before oil or gas drilling occurs. Richard Garrett of the Wyoming Outdoor Council says any step to protect groundwater is welcome. Paul Cook of the Cheyenne Area Landowners Coalition says groundwater testing is a top priority for property owners considering leasing land to energy developers. And Bruce Hinchey of the Petroleum Association of Wyoming says baseline testing could help the industry make its case that its drilling techniques are safe.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Wyoming's investment returns likely to help budget
Gov. Matt Mead's office says the latest Wyoming revenue figures continue to support his position that the state probably won't have to cut agency budgets in the coming year. The state's Economic Analysis Division issued a report on state revenues on Tuesday. As of the end of March, the state's multi-billion-dollar Permanent Mineral Trust Fund was holding $218 million in realized but undistributed capital gains. If things hold steady, those capital gains will transfer to the state's General Fund in July. The state's currently operating on a 2-year $3.2 billion general funds budget. Other sources of state revenue are on-track with projections. Mead early this year vetoed legislation that would have required state agencies to propose a range of budget cuts. He has said he would propose cuts if necessary.
New telephone scam circulating in Sweetwater County
A relatively new telephone scam surfaced in Rock Springs recently involving medical devices and appliances. Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust Jr. says that several people have reported that a recorded telephone message informs residents that their "medical adviser" has approved a "medical appliance" for them that needs to be delivered.
Blust says the scammers hope their intended victims will believe that their doctor or other health care provider has made arrangements for the device and that they will be willing to pay certain ‘fees’ or other costs.
Blust says the best thing to do is simply hang up. Your doctor is never going to make arrangements for medical services or treatments that you do not know about.
Blust says the scammers hope their intended victims will believe that their doctor or other health care provider has made arrangements for the device and that they will be willing to pay certain ‘fees’ or other costs.
Blust says the best thing to do is simply hang up. Your doctor is never going to make arrangements for medical services or treatments that you do not know about.
BLM draft fracking rules get close look in Wyo.
Wyoming officials worry that Interior Department rules for hydraulic fracturing on federal land might unnecessarily duplicate existing state regulations. On Thursday, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell released the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's latest draft rules for fracking - pumping pressurized water mixed with sand and chemicals into oil and gas wells to break open surrounding rock. Wyoming in 2010 became the first state to require companies to disclose the chemicals they use in fracking. The BLM rules likewise would require companies to disclose the ingredients in the fracking chemicals they use. Renny MacKay, spokesman for Gov. Matt Mead, says Mead considers the BLM rules unnecessary but is looking them over. The Powder River Basin Resource Council says Wyoming's rules are stronger in some ways than what BLM proposes.
Northwest College breaks ground on new building
Northwest College in Powell is beginning construction of a $14.25 million building on campus. Ground breaking on the Yellowstone Building is scheduled for Thursday. The 47,000-square-foot building will house nursing, allied health, criminal justice and law enforcement education programs. In addition, it will have a community conference center to accommodate workforce training programs, conferences, community events and larger-venue demands. It also will be home to the Communication Program and the Social Science and Education Division. The state of Wyoming contributed $9.38 million toward construction. Construction is scheduled to be completed by fall 2014.
Small earthquake jolts SE Idaho, western Wyoming
A small earthquake jolted parts of southeastern Idaho and western Wyoming. The U.S. Geological Survey says the temblor measured at 3.6 magnitude occurred late Wednesday on the Idaho side of the Idaho-Wyoming border. The nearest city is Afton, Wyo., about 14 miles from the epicenter. Afton police say officers felt the quake but there were no reports of damage. Police in Pocatello and Idaho Falls, both about 60 miles from the epicenter, say the quake went mostly unnoticed.
Wyoming's job market soft in last quarter 2012
Officials with the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services say the state's job market grew marginally in the third quarter of last year. 13 of the state's 23 counties saw employment gains in the last quarter while the other 10 counties saw job numbers slip. Senior economist at Workforce Services David Bullard says the state's employment slowdown is being mirrored by a slowdown in the energy industry. Bullard says that employment is still growing at below 1%, but the state is losing jobs in the oil and gas sector. He says the state is still dealing with lingering effects from the 2008 recession.
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