Rocky Mountain Power, the electric utility serving Wyoming and parts of neighboring states, is exploring a potential comeback for carbon capture technology at one of its aging coal-fired power plants. This marks a significant shift for the company, which previously deemed carbon capture uneconomical. Here’s the full story.
The Latest Plan
The utility, which recently increased energy rates by 8.3%, is considering locating the carbon capture project at the Dave Johnston coal-fired power plants, situated 6 miles east of Glenrock, or the Wyodak facility located 5 miles east of Gillette.
The Ownership of the Plant
The Wyodak plant, owned 80% by PacifiCorp and 20% by Black Hills Energy Inc., produces 332 megawatts of power and may retire its units in the coming years. On the other hand, the Dave Johnston plant, producing 745 megawatts of power, is 65 years old with units constructed between 1959 and 1972.
The Engineering Study
PacifiCorp is teaming up with 8 Rivers Capital and SK Group to investigate capturing carbon emissions from its power plants. The three companies will be working together on an engineering study to see if carbon capture would work at each plant. The good news for customers is that the bill for this study won’t land on your doorstep – the project’s funders and developers will be covering the costs.
New Avenue for Exploration
Rocky Mountain Power has been assessing carbon capture initiatives since 2018, but previous reviews deemed the technology cost-effective. However, the collaboration with SK Global and 8 Rivers Capital offers a new avenue for exploration, according to the utility.
A Major Leap Forward
James Owen, Rocky Mountain Power’s vice president for environmental, fuels, and mining, shared that he was excited about this new team-up. He sees it as a major leap forward in figuring out if carbon capture tech can work for Wyoming’s coal plants.
Home to Carbon Capture and Storage Projects
Wyoming is already home to several carbon capture and storage projects. A recent partnership between the University of Wyoming’s energy research group and a California filtration company received $4.6 million from the Department of Energy to conduct research on carbon dioxide storage and capture at a coal-fired power plant. Plus, initiatives by businesses like Project Bison and Spiritus Technologies aim to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Keep the Plants Running
Governor Mark Gordon, a proponent of carbon capture initiatives, welcomed PacifiCorp’s announcement, saying that he sees it as a way to keep Wyoming’s coal plants running for longer.
The New Bill
Also, Earlier in April 2024, the Wyoming Legislature passed a bill allowing utilities to delay installing carbon capture retrofits on coal plants until 2033. However, the decision came with some strings attached. Power companies will still need to find a way to capture at least 20% of the emissions from their coal plants using this technology, but only if it makes financial sense. The good news for utilities is that they can pass the cost of these upgrades on to their customers.
A Win-Win Solution
Governor Gordon shared that he sees this as a win-win. He shared that coal remains a key player in the country’s energy mix, and Wyoming can stay ahead of the curve in capturing those carbon emissions. He believes new technologies will be crucial for the nation’s future energy needs.
Share Your Thoughts
So what do you think? What potential benefits and challenges do you see for the state’s energy sector and environmental sustainability efforts?
