Wyoming News Briefs

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming State Board of Education plans to hire a search firm to find a director for the state Education Department. Recently-approved legislation gives the board the power to nominate three candidates for the post, with the director chosen by the governor. The law stripped elected Superintended Cindy Hill as the department's administrator.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming Department of Education interim director Jim Rose is suspending a teacher development program that got Superintendent Cindy Hill in hot water with state legislators. The program wasn't authorized by the Legislature and the dispute led to the bill that stripped Hill of her administrative duties. Rose was appointed by Gov. Mead.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The governor's office may require petroleum companies to test for groundwater pollution before they drill for oil or gas. Natural resources adviser Jerimiah Rieman says testing would make it easier to pinpoint the source of any groundwater contamination that turns up during or after drilling. That could help any homeowners with contaminated well water to find out if oil or gas drilling caused their problem.

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park expects to save about $70,000 a year in electricity with a new hydroelectric plant on the Gardiner River. The Jackson Hole News and Guide reports the plant is supplying about a third of the electricity for park headquarters buildings at Mammoth Hot Springs. The plant cost $1.1 million and is expected to pay for itself in 12 years.