Wyoming Energy Authority updates committee on energy matching funds, large‑project criteria and coal study

Rob Krieger, executive director of the Wyoming Energy Authority, briefed the Joint Minerals Committee on June 20 on the authority’s program activity, the energy matching funds portfolio and planned interim studies. Krieger said the energy matching funds are intended to help Wyoming projects land federal grants and private capital by covering required cost‑share and by making Wyoming more competitive for projects that involve carbon capture, hydrogen, advanced power generation and other energy technologies.

Krieger reminded the committee that the authority is a small, quasi‑state entity with a broad mission that includes serving as a hub for energy projects, leveraging other state, federal and private programs, and administering several federal state energy programs. He said the energy matching funds were created in 2022 and the total state appropriations designated for the matching and large‑project funds now total about $255 million; after prior earmarks for specific coal work and mine‑access support, Krieger said the authority currently has roughly $22 million remaining in the regular matching fund and a $100 million large‑project fund yet to be allocated.

“Where the fund was intended to be helpful was in supporting projects that needed matching or cost share for a federal grant,” Krieger said. He explained the application process: a concept paper portal tri‑annually, full proposals on invitation, technical review by authority staff and partner agencies, a 10‑day public comment period on recommended awards, an attorney‑general review and final executive decision. He said the authority requires applicants to have matching funds in hand before a contract is executed so state funds serve as closing capital rather than initial seed money.

To date, the authority has approved 24 projects covering energy, mining and pilot demonstrations. Krieger said the authority’s matching dollars — together with required private and federal contributions — have leveraged roughly $400 million beyond the state’s direct appropriations. He said the board and staff track return on investment differently depending on project type; for pilots the authority expects scaled deployment if a pilot succeeds, and for demonstration or CCS projects the authority tracks expected long‑term avoided retirements or incremental state revenues.

Krieger told the committee the authority will deliver a legislatively directed energy inventory and impact study required by Senate File 138 on Oct. 1, which will include historic timelines and five‑year production and tax figures, and the authority is separately preparing a more detailed coal market study that will examine domestic and international demand, capital requirements and carbon‑capture economics. He said rulemaking for Senate File 17 (CO2 tax credit parity language) can begin July 1 under the statute and that the authority will be active on electricity policy for large loads and third‑party generation in coordination with utilities and co‑ops.

Industry speakers in the hearing supported the authority’s outreach. David Bush (Black Hills Energy) told the panel the large‑load/third‑party generation discussions have been constructive. Sean Taylor (Wyoming Rural Electric Association) said co‑ops stand ready to participate in solutions for large, new electricity customers.

Peter Obermueller of the Petroleum Association of Wyoming used the opportunity to urge bolder state action on financing and pointed to the Bank of North Dakota as a model other states use to help finance infrastructure; he asked the committee to consider whether energy matching programs should be retooled or expanded to attract larger private investment.

Ending: Krieger said the authority will return with the October study and begin rulemaking and outreach later this summer; the committee requested the authority provide the energy inventory and a breakdown of how matching funds have been spent and leveraged for each funded project.