Rocky Mountain Power, the Wyoming utility subsidiary of PacifiCorp, is collaborating with two climate technology companies, 8 Rivers Capital LLC and SK Group, to evaluate potential carbon capture projects at either the Wyodak coal-fired power plant near Gillette or the Dave Johnston plant near Glenrock.
This marks a shift from the utility's previous stance that carbon capture and storage was not economical. The development costs will be borne by the project backers and developers, not Rocky Mountain customers.
The partnership is a significant step in determining if carbon capture technologies can benefit Wyoming customers at a reasonable cost. Other carbon capture projects in Wyoming include a pilot project at the Dry Fork Station plant and projects by Spiritus Technologies and Project Bison.
Governor Mark Gordon, a proponent of carbon capture, said the announcement gives an extended life to Wyoming's coal-fired power plants. Recent legislation allows utilities to delay carbon-capture retrofits until 2033 and recoup the costs from customers, contributing to PacifiCorp's decision.