As West Coast Shuns Coal, Wyoming Will Face Difficulties

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Representatives of Rocky Mountain Power say Wyoming could be affected in different ways if Oregon, Washington and California abandon coal-generated power.

Jeff Larsen of Rocky Mountain Power told the Legislature's Joint Corporations Committee meeting in Lander that states like Wyoming may be forced to bear a higher burden of responsibility for keeping the company's coal plants operating than their portion of the PacifiCorp system warrants.

With the other states dropping coal-fired power, they would no longer contribute toward running of the power plants.

Wyoming only accounts for 15 percent of PacifiCorp's $4.7 billion annual costs.

Four of the company's 10 power plants are located in Wyoming.