Wyoming eyes ongoing cuts amid prolonged energy downturn

Associated Press
Monday, July 22, 2019 5:30 p.m. | Monday, July 22, 2019 5:30 p.m.

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Josh Galemore | The Casper Star-Tribune

A man reacts after a Blackjewel employee mentions not being able to deposit the cashiers check he received from the company during a public meeting at the Campbell County Courthouse in Gillette, Wyo., Tuesday afternoon, July 2, 2019.

CASPER, Wyo. — Wyoming lawmakers continue to look at spending cuts amid a prolonged downturn in revenue from the energy industry.

Wyoming’s latest hit comes from the closure of two huge coal mines in the Powder River Basin in early July. State Budget Director Don Richards tells lawmakers if the mines remain out of production after the bankruptcy of Milton, W.Va.-based Blackjewel LLC, Wyoming will lose $50 million in revenue annually.

Wyoming leads the United States in coal production but University of Wyoming economist Robert Godby says Wyoming coal production will decline by at least 25 percent by 2025.

Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Eli Bebout tells the Casper Star-Tribune he wants Wyoming to diversify revenue sources but others disagree. Bebout says that makes spending cuts one of the few options to avoid deficits.