Industry warns Wyoming lawmakers that grid shortfalls could threaten trona and other large-load operations

Industry representatives told the Joint & Standing committee that growing capacity constraints on the electric grid could pose operational and economic risks for Wyoming’s large, continuous-process industries.

"We would ask that the committee continue its review of electricity," said Jod Levin, appearing on behalf of the Trona Industry and allied groups, urging focused work on reliability and capacity constraints for large loads. Levin cited recent reports by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council warning of potential shortages "as soon as 2028."

Levin described the stakes for trona operations: "Those operations cannot have disruptions to the power supply...it could potentially be catastrophic to those operations; they could be offline for months up to a year." Committee members asked for details on workforce and economic impact; attendees said the trona sector supports roughly 2,400 employees and contributes close to $600 million annually in economic impact.

Lawmakers and witnesses noted the problem affects more than one industry and has implications for economic development where communities cannot secure service for medium or heavy loads. The committee was asked to invite reliability entities (NERC and WECC) and grid experts to a first interim meeting and to consider whether near-term actions or legislative changes are needed to preserve service for essential industrial customers.

What happens next: the committee may place electricity reliability and large-load capacity on its interim schedule and invite the named reliability organizations to brief members.