Oil well operators are required by law to plug wells once they’re finished using them, in order to prevent leaks. But yet, there are likely millions nationwide that haven’t been plugged.
The state isn’t seeing a boom from the energy supply crunch. That limits the uptick in tax revenue that comes from higher prices, and makes employment unlikely to see a big boost.
The Department of Energy said the U.S. is taking a 5% equity ownership in Lithium Americas, a company that’s working to open up one of the world’s largest lithium mines at Thacker Pass in Nevada.
A little known industry that happens to be Wyoming’s biggest export piqued the interest of one mechanic last year. But sudden industry changes threw his family’s future into limbo.
The country has an ambitious goal to reach $12 billion in mining exports in 2023, but industry leaders say they can’t get ahead without reliable electricity.