Fossil fuel official says technology can still help the coal industry

CHEYENNE» Touring Wyoming at a crucial time for the top coalmining state, the U.S. official who oversees government research into fossil fuels said Thursday it’s not too late for new technology to help the coal industry.

“The Wyoming coal industry is going through a restructuring,” said Steven Winberg, U.S. assistant secretary for fossil energy. “After that restructuring, we will still be producing and utilizing coal from Wyoming.”

Technology to put carbon dioxide from coal-fired power plants to widespread, economical use is on track to hit the market within 10 to 25 years, Winberg said.

The clock is ticking. Winberg’s visit to Wyoming coincides with more uncertainty about coal’s future than ever before.

Financial troubles have shut down two huge open-pit mines in the Powder River Basin. About 700 people at the Eagle Butte and Belle Ayr mines were furloughed when the mines’ owner, Milton, W.Va.-based Blackjewel LLC, filed for bankruptcy July 1.

Federal officials are considering whether to approve a purchase deal that could allow the mines to reopen. The decision hinges on federal royalties overseen by the Department of the Interior, not Winberg’s agency, the Department of Energy.

Blackjewel’s bankruptcy is one of two in the basin this year and six since 2015 as coal-fired power plummets from about half of all U.S. electricity generation a decade ago to less than 30% now.

Winberg’s trip focused on fossil fuel technologies — including techniques to keep the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere from coal-fired power plants. He oversees the Energy Department’s coal, oil and natural gas research and development program and the Office of Petroleum Reserves.

On Wednesday, Winberg visited the Wyoming Integrated Test Center, a carbon-capture test facility at a coal-fired power plant near Gillette. Winberg on Thursday toured St. Louis-based Peabody Energy’s North Antelope Rochelle mine, one of the world’s largest coal mines, and met with Gov. Mark Gordon.

Carbon-capture technology could eventually follow a path to success like wind power, which people doubted would be viable decades ago, Gordon said at a news conference with Winberg.

“Market conditions can change. I haven’t written off coal by any means,” Gordon said.