News Release
August 21, 2007

UW professor on national coal study committee

A University of Wyoming professor is a member of the National Commission on Energy Policy (NCEP) study committee examining challenges confronting future coal production.

Specifically, the study looks at potential issues if annual coal use increases in the next 30 years by 50 percent from 1.2 to 1.8 billion tons per year.

The committee will evaluate constrains and modifications needed for coal mining practices to be economically or socially beneficial.

George Vance, a professor in the UW College of Agriculture’s Department of Renewable Resources, said areas the committee will study include:

            * How much coal is available to be mined?

            * How should the coal be mined?

            * How must the coal be processed so it can be used?

            * What protections must be in place for the mining workforce?

            * How must coal be mined in a way that minimizes impacts to the planet?

            * Who will be engaged in and conduct coal mining?

Whether coal fits into a low carbon energy system is not the focus, according to the NCEP.

Scoping meetings, by invitation only, are Sept. 6-7 in Washington, D.C., and Sept. 16-18 in Denver, said Vance.  

Vance was asked to participate in the study because “they wanted someone knowledgeable about environmental protection and reclamation on coal mined lands,” he said. “Plus, they were looking for someone from the West to participate on the committee since everyone else is from the East.”

Future utilization of coal must be considered since it is a major energy source, said Vance. As the leading coal-producing state, the outcome will affect Wyoming.

“Recent activities such as the proposed Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad from the Powder River Basin to Minnesota would improve the transportation of coal to users,” he said. “Another topic close to home is the proposed $2 billion coal-to-liquid plant actively being pursued in the area of Hanna, Medicine Bow and Elk Mountain. It is another great example of coal utilization that could produce useable products and byproducts.”

Vance said opportunities exist for UW to be involved in all aspects of coal production, including reserve characterization, mine processes and reclamation, among others.

“The School of Energy Resources, engineering college, Wyoming Reclamation and Restoration Center, and departments of geology, mathematics, petroleum engineering and renewable resources, among others, have much to offer in developing our energy resources,” said Vance.

Contact: Steven L. Miller, Senior Editor
Phone: (307) 766-6342
E-mail: slmiller@uwyo.edu
Archived News Site http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/UWAG/news.asp

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