Coal Industry Could Get Boost From Overseas Exports

Energy experts are in Cheyenne for the Wyoming Infrastructure Authority's (WIA) Spring Energy Conference.

Bill Chapman, President and CEO of Millennium Bulk Terminals - Longview, LLC, says the cowboy state has made a good start in understanding that it needs to communicate with western states as well as be a leader in coal burning technology.

"The good news from my perspective, as someone who's developing a terminal to export that coal in the state of Washington, is that Wyoming has been a good partner in helping with that communication and initiating that investment in the coal technologies," said Chapman.

Coal production in the state has fallen by 17% since 2008 amid low natural gas prices and increasing production of renewable energy.

Earlier this year, the Wyoming Legislature granted the WIA the ability to issue up to $1 billion in bonds to finance infrastructure projects that could be built outside of the state.