News – Sheridan Media
Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) and the Wyoming Energy Authority (WEA) announced Monday its funding of three innovative projects using Energy Matching Funds (EMF) provided by the Wyoming Legislature. Among the projects is a feed study for a possible expansion of the coal-fired station at Dry Fork. Governor Gordon said the feed study for an additional unit at the Dry Fork Station stands out as especially significant as it represents the first potential expansion of a coal-fired power station in our nation in many years.
Basin Electric has been awarded $4 million for their Dry Fork Station Unit 2 Front-End Engineering Study (FEED) Study, Contango Resources has been awarded $343,000 for their Big Horn Pipeline Feasibility Study and The University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources has received approval for $5.5 million to enhance the Wyoming Integrated Test Center (ITC) near Gillette. Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s FEED Study will assess the potential development of a second coal-fired generation unit at its Dry Fork Station facility near Gillette.
This comprehensive study will determine the feasibility, technical requirements, and broader implications of introducing a new unit to meet the region’s increasing energy demands. The FEED Study will deliver a detailed analysis encompassing technology selection, preliminary engineering and design, and an Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering International (AACE) class three cost estimate, laying the groundwork for informed decision-making on the proposed expansion. Contango Resources’ Big Horn Basin CO₂ Feasibility Study will evaluate the development of a CO₂ transportation pipeline in Wyoming’s Big Horn Basin, aimed at connecting key sites for enhanced oil recovery. The study will assess the technical, economic, and environmental viability of the project, which could unlock an estimated 4 billion barrels of recoverable oil and accelerate carbon capture and utilization efforts.
The University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources is set to significantly enhance the capabilities of the Integrated Test Center (ITC), strengthening its role as a premier facility for advancing carbon management technologies. This expansion will attract an array of research partners, reinforce Gillette’s reputation as a national hub for carbon innovation, and support workforce development in the energy sector.
Since 2018, the ITC has provided researchers with a platform to test and refine carbon capture technologies, accelerating their path to commercialization, particularly enhanced oil recovery. The upcoming enhancements will also foster educational opportunities, deepen community engagement, and solidify Wyoming’s leadership in energy innovation and production.
More Like this
Last modified: October 28, 2025