With an economy based on energy, residents of Casper WY real estate are joining Governor Dave Freudenthal in supporting a variety of alternative-energy and carbon-reduction projects. These sensible initiatives are empowered by the area’s relatively strong overall economy. Unlike other parts of the nation, few Casper WY homes have gone to foreclosure.
Wyoming is ahead of the federal government on many energy issues. These projects are opening new jobs, developing new talent, and affecting our residential real estate in Casper. The employment growth rate is ranked the highest in the nation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics. That good news is adding interest in Casper real estate, especially the construction of commercial and public projects.
An article published March 30, 2009 in the Star-Tribune explains that the governor has “pushed state agencies and convinced the Legislature to make new energy technologies.” Indeed, Freudenthal has been speaking out. At Casper College in November 2008, he said that Wyoming must integrate the old and new energy resources.
What are some of the projects? On the leading edge, The University of Wyoming is partnering with private business including General Electric to build a coal gasification research center and Exxon Mobil to research carbon sequestration. Clean coal research will take place in a GE pilot plant. The development of wind energy is another top priority here where there are ideal sites for wind farms. However, we need transmission lines to transport the power to other areas.
According to the governor, the state will continue with natural gas and coal-bed-methane production and natural gas power plants will replace the aging coal-burning power plants. He has also suggested that someone figure out a way to convert beetle-killed pine trees into biomass fuels.
One of the challenges on our plate is the carbon dioxide flow from smokestacks at the Jim Bridger power plant. It represents Wyoming’s largest source of carbon dioxide emissions. Writer Brodie Farquhar quoted the governor. “If we’re going to have the economy we want, we need to take a serious look at management of carbon.”
One of the creative ways to capture those emissions involves injecting it into the rock formations far below the surface of the earth where it would replace saline water. The water could be pumped to the surface.
Some of these discussions took place earlier in March among geologists, hydrologists, geochemists, and other professionals during a two-day carbon sequestration workshop in Laramie. With the integrated approach to solve the problems, the state is moving on the cutting edge of alternative approaches to energy. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality has already been able to issue regulations guiding carbon injection, for example, before the United States government has taken any action.
For more information about residential, recreational or commercial real estate in the area, contact Dennis Baker at (800) 743-0705.
