Economics | College of Business | University of Wyoming

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Department of Economics

College of Business Department 3985

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: 307-766-3124

Fax: 307-766-4028

Email: economics@uwyo.edu

Economics in the News

You can view how the Department of Economics and the department's professors and researchers are making and have made the news going back to 2017 below. View the current year's news directly below and scroll through the news archive near the bottom of the page to see our how professors and researchers have made in impact in the news historically.

Current News

A WyoFile opinion piece focused on how low pay for the state’s snowplow drivers has led to a shortage of drivers. The piece noted that UW economist ...

Cowboy State Daily interviewed UW economist Rob Godby for an article on how Wyoming lawmakers are focusing on property tax reform strategies during ...

Events

UW College of Business Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Economics Ph.D. Program

Alumni, faculty and students celebrated the University of Wyoming College of Business’ 50th anniversary of its economics Ph.D. program with a series ...

Min Gong, the science lead for Amazon, will give a free public talk at 3:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, at the University of Wyoming College of Business.

Environmental regulators and other organizations should do more scientific experimentation to inform natural resource policy, according to an interna...

The article focused on the recent groundbreaking for the new TransWest Express transmission project north of Sinclair.

Jo Albers, a UW College of Business Excellence Chair professor, was quoted in a Mongabay article about Dogger Bank, a sandbank in the North Sea that...

UW economist Rob Godby commented in a WyoFile article that focused on a recent tornado that caused damage at Peabody Energy’s North Antelope Rochell...

Events

Graduate Student Presentation

Chandler Hubbard (2nd year PhD student) and Katie Barkley (3rd year PhD student) recently presented their research at the National Wildlife Research...

Chandler Hubbard and Ian Fletcher (2nd year PhD students) spent the summer conducting research in the Grand Teton National Park. They spent two mont...

Top Stories

Graduate Student Workshop

Joseph Longuevan (3rd year PhD student) was selected to participate in the workshop.

Alivia Cochran (4th year PhD student) was selected for a 2023 Summer Appointment at Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). She spent the summe...

Top Stories

Resources for the Future Internship

Srutakirti Mukherjee (4th year PhD student) was selected for a Resources for the Future (RFF) research internship for the summer of 2023. She spent ...

Regular diagnostic testing and self-isolation can be more effective than school and business closures when it comes to combating infectious disease o...

Marketplace published an article on why inflation has been running high in the Mountain West.

Top Stories

Godby was Quoted for a CS-T Piece

Godby was quoted for a CS-T piece on the debt ceiling issue being discussed in Congress.

University of Wyoming President Ed Seidel has recognized faculty members who demonstrate high achievement in scholarship with 2023 Presidential Schol...

Top Stories

Godby was Quoted for a CS-T Piece

A recently released report found that the direct value added annually to the state’s economy by hospitals and nursing homes is nearly $2.6 billion.

UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed by The Casper Star-Tribune to comment on President Joe Biden’s approval of an $8 billion oil project.

Top Stories

Godby was Quoted for a CS-T Piece

A recently released report found that the direct value added annually to the state’s economy by hospitals and nursing homes is nearly $2.6 billion.

UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed by The Casper Star-Tribune to comment on President Joe Biden’s approval of an $8 billion oil project.

Top Stories

UW Mortar Board Honors ‘Top Profs’

Members of the University of Wyoming’s senior honor society recently honored their “Top Profs” at the 43rd annual Top Prof Night.

Jacob Hochard, the UW Knobloch Assistant Professor of Conservation Economics, was the lead author of a paper concluding that private well water moni...

A new study by University of Wyoming economists Anne Alexander and Chian Jones Ritten shows Wyoming’s gender wage gap persists, to the detriment of t...

Human society needs to develop a more diverse array of potential responses to major disruptions such as pandemics, natural disasters and trade breakd...

Six University of Wyoming faculty members have been selected for inaugural Provost Term Professorships.

The Leader-Telegram, in Eau Claire, Wis., published an article on inflation that included comments from Anne Alexander, a UW economist and vice prov...

UW economist Rob Godby was among several energy experts who were quoted in a lengthy Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) feature detailing the decline of coa...

The Kyiv Post interviewed UW Department of Economics Chair Alexandre Skiba about Russia’s collapsing economy amid the continuing crisis in Ukraine.

News Archive

August, 2022

WalletHub interviewed Anne Alexander, UW vice provost for strategic planning and initiatives and an economist, for a question-and-answer column on the online website’s recent study about the “Hardest-Working States in America.” Wyoming came in 10th on the list overall and tied for second with North Dakota in one category for most working hours put in each week.

July, 2022

WyoFile interviewed UW economist Rob Godby for his comments on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that limits the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s authority over greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies. Godby says the ruling will not hand the state more powers to fight against market forces driven by energy policies in the more than 20 states that consume Wyoming coal.

The New York Times quoted UW economist Rob Godby for an article titled “Quitting Oil Income Is Hard, Even for States That Want Climate Action.” The article stated that Wyoming is the most reliant state on fossil fuels, with 59 percent of state and local tax revenue coming from coal, oil and gas.

Yahoo! News posted a Hill article on a WalletHub report that noted Wyoming led the country in total energy costs per state. Godby was quoted in the article.

Godby was among energy and policy experts who offered advice on reducing dependence on traditional energy sources and cutting costs in a WalletHub column. He provided tips for saving money on energy bills; commented on the effectiveness of tax deductions and credits at incentivizing households to be more energy efficient; and discussed the impact on energy production and prices with many employees still working from home.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle quoted UW economist Anne Alexander in an article that focused on the inflation surge nationwide and how it affects Wyoming’s economy and the state’s consumers. UW economist Rob Godby spoke with Cowboy State Daily for a similar article.

Godby told The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) the price of oil is “the biggest reason” for the decline of fuel prices at the pump. His comments on the costs of oil and gasoline were part of an article titled “Gas prices sink below record highs, but supply chain troubles persist.”

UW economist Rob Godby broke down for Wyoming Public Radio the formula used by the personal finance website WalletHub to determine Wyoming’s top national ranking for the highest energy costs. Godby also was interviewed for a Wyoming Tribune Eagle article that focused on why Wyoming’s gas prices remain higher than the national average.

June, 2022

Forbes included UW economist Charles Mason’s comments in an article on the latest South Korean conglomerate to expand into nuclear power as a means to reduce carbon emissions.

The Laramie Boomerang interviewed UW economist Anne Alexander, who said high fuel prices are not only affecting everyday consumers, but also the cost of goods that are delivered on trucks, which is having a widespread impact. The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) also interviewed UW economist Rob Godby for a similar article.

The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) interviewed UW economist Rob Godby for an article on how Wyoming would like to export its natural gas, but West Coast states don’t want to be home to export terminals.

May, 2022

WalletHub published a question-and-answer column with UW College of Business Professor Emeritus Sherrill Shaffer about free credit cards that offer no annual fees, monthly fees or one-time membership fees.

The Casper Star-Tribune interviewed UW economist Rob Godby for an article titled “Russian escalation today could increase future demand for US natural gas.” Godby commented on implications from Russia cutting off natural gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria.

Wyoming Public Radio also interviewed Godby for a piece that focused on how Wyoming businesses are dealing with higher fuel prices and inflation.

Scott Beaulier is the new UW College of Business dean. Since 2016, he held the same position at North Dakota State University’s College of Business, according to AM 1100 The Flag and WDAY radio stations, both in Fargo, N.D.

WHYY, a Philadelphia PBS station, interviewed Christelle Khalaf, associate director of UW’s Center for Business and Economic Analysis, about a program that trains young Philadelphians to install solar panels. Khalaf studies the economic development potential of renewable energy.

Forbes interviewed Charles Mason, a UW energy economist, about Samsung and two other Korean conglomerates that have signed an agreement with a U.S.-based company to build small-scale modular nuclear reactors in Asia as demand for clean energy grows globally

KUNC carried a Mountain West News Bureau story that focused on how Wyoming businesses are learning to cope with current higher fuel prices and inflation. UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed for the piece. Cowboy State Daily also interviewed Godby for a similar article.

Yahoo! Finance published an article that mentioned a UW Center for Business and Economic Analysis report estimating that the CK Gold Project near Curt Gowdy State Park would create an estimated 2,600 direct and indirect jobs throughout the lifespan of the project. Mining Weekly published a similar article.

Laramie Live and 101.9 KING FM noted that two new deans have been hired at UW: Scott Beaulier in the College of Business and Jacob Warren in the College of Health Sciences.

Sherrill Shaffer, UW’s Guthrie Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Banking and Financial Services, provided advice in a pair of MoneyGeek columns titled “How can balance transfers impact your credit score in the short and long term?” and “What are some options a person could take to avoid using a cash advance on a credit card?”

Laramie Live and County 10 published UW’s release noting that UW’s College of Business and Wyoming Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, in collaboration with Central Wyoming College, will offer the Entrepreneur Essentials (e2) course. The e2 program seeks to help Wyoming business owners launch their businesses from the idea stage into fruition, with the end goal of businesses selling their products or services successfully.

HuffPost quoted Christelle Khalaf, associate director of UW’s Center for Business and Economic Analysis, in an article about a possible recession in the U.S. Khalaf said it was worth considering that policies implemented during the pandemic to support families may not have been anticipated to cause inflation

In an article picked up by The Leader-Telegram, in Eau Claire, Wis., several economists, including UW’s Anne Alexander, discussed inflation, rising gas prices and baby formula shortages that are causing consumer stress across the country.

UW economist Rob Godby commented on a WyoFile piece about how developers are poised to double Wyoming’s wind energy capacity, replacing coal as the state’s top source of electrical generation.

April, 2022

The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) interviewed UW economist Chuck Mason for an article that focused on President Joe Biden’s announcement of the largest-ever drawdown of the U.S. strategic petroleum reserve. The Biden administration plans to release about a million barrels of oil per day for up to six months in an effort to bring down still-climbing gasoline prices, which soared after Russia invaded Ukraine. Published 4/1/22.

Rising oil prices could be a boon for Wyoming’s economy in the short term but, if sustained, they could push consumers away from fossil fuel usage more quickly than previously predicted, according to economists, including UW’s Rob Godby, quoted in a Cowboy State Daily article. Published on 3/31/22.

UW economics Professor Todd Cherry and his colleagues are among eight research teams awarded a $10,000 honorarium from the Resources for the Future Solar Geoengineering Research Project to fund research on the benefits/risks of solar geoengineering. The team’s project is “International Environmental Agreements under the Threat of Solar Geoengineering,” according to Science Magazine. Published 4/1/22.

The Leader-Telegram, in Eau Claire, Wis., quoted UW economist Anne Alexander about skyrocketing commodity prices worldwide caused by the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Alexander said higher prices or global shortages of wheat could spark economic and social unrest in global hot spots. Published 4/4/22.

Wyoming News Now published a UW release noting that the College of Business recently hosted more than 500 high school students, their teachers and professional business volunteers for the State Leadership Conference of the Wyoming Future Business Leaders of America. Published 3/28/22.

Wyoming News Now published UW’s release announcing that the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic opened in the UW College of Business. The clinic will provide representation, education and advocacy for individual taxpayers who are low-income or speak English as a second language. Published 3/29/22.

Fortune published an op-ed piece from UW economics Professor David Finnoff and three colleagues that focused on how President Joe Biden’s administration should invest more in new infrastructure to help prevent another pandemic such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Published 4/11/22.

UW’s College of Business, in collaboration with the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program, hosted the second annual Wyoming Collegiate Business Ethics Case Competition last week. WyoToday Media published UW’s release noting that four Wyoming community colleges were invited to the event. Published 4/22.

An analysis by UW’s Center for Business and Economic Analysis estimated that a proposed gold and copper mine would directly employ 324 long-term workers and generate $75 million in tax revenue during its expected 13-year lifetime. The CS-T reported that the mine site is near Cheyenne. Published 4/7/22.

UW economist Chuck Mason was among experts on both sides of the issue interviewed by The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) as to why oil prices soared this year, but Wyoming production did not. Published 4/22.

UW economist Anne Alexander told Cowboy State Daily that inflated prices on goods are caused by several factors, including the Russian/Ukrainian war, recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and a hot housing market. UW economist David Aadland talked with KUNC for a similar interview. Published 4/12/22.

March, 2022

The Hill published an op-ed piece from Jason Shogren, the Stroock Chair of Natural Resource Conservation and Management in the UW College of Business, and three colleagues. The article focused on a federal judge’s preliminary injunction against the Biden administration’s use of its interim estimates for the social cost of carbon pollution. Published on 3/4/22.

Godby was quoted in a related CS-T article titled “Gasoline prices topple records as sanctions mount.” He also was interviewed for another CS-T article titled “Gas prices are rising. Whose fault is it?” Published March 9, 2022.

WyoFile interviewed Godby for a piece on how the response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine could drive Wyoming’s fossil fuel-reliant economy toward even more volatile territory. Published on March 11, 2022.

Lead Stories interviewed energy experts, including UW Professor Charles Mason, about skyrocketing gas prices. Oil market experts and economists say the ban on Russian oil imports is not the only driver of gas prices, and bringing the XL branch of the Keystone pipeline online would not guarantee a price drop. Published March 18, 2022.

UW economist Rob Godby was among energy experts quoted in a WyoFile article about the world’s energy disruptions caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The article, republished by Energy Central, discussed how Russia’s attack has pushed Wyoming’s markets toward more volatile territory. Published March 16, 2022.

S&P Global Market Intelligence spoke with UW economist Rob Godby on how some U.S. coal miners are experimenting with greener business projects as long-term demand for the carbon-intensive fuel collapses. Published Mar 22, 2022.

February, 2022

Utility Dive interviewed Charles Mason, the H.A. “Dave” True Jr. Chair in Petroleum and Natural Gas Economics at UW, for an article noting that the U.S. Department of Energy will spend $6 billion on a program designed to keep nuclear power plants from closing. Mason said the high operating and maintenance costs of running reactors can make them uneconomical in some markets. Published February 16, 2022.

MSN reprinted a Roll Call article in which UW economist Anne Alexander was quoted. Alexander said about 50 cryptocurrency firms have relocated to Wyoming to take advantage of the crypto laws. Many of those companies have just incorporated in the state, not moved their actual headquarters. Published February 15, 2022.

UW business Professor Emeritus Sherrill Shaffer spoke with WalletHub for a column that offered professional decision-making advice on debt consolidation loans. No date.

The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) published an article last week focusing on how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would affect energy prices worldwide. UW economist Rob Godby said U.S. oil and gas prices are already rising, but the question is how producers -- who have been more cautious since COVID-19 lockdowns caused demand to crater -- will respond. February 23, 2022.

UW economist Charles Mason was interviewed about the conflict in Ukraine for a related Oil City News article, and Godby also commented in another CS-T article about rising gasoline prices. Published February 24 and 25, 2022 respectively.

A reroute of a portion of I-80 could impact commerce from $1.4 billion to $1.7 billion a year, UW economist Anne Alexander said in an interview with The Laramie Boomerang. The Wyoming Department of Transportation has made an informal proposal to the federal government to consider a reroute of the interstate to cut down on winter closures. Published February 27, 2022.

The Laramie Boomerang reported that a survey by UW economists indicates that the Pilot Hill Project has the potential to generate more than $5 million a year in economic activity and support 150 jobs. UW owns 1,233 acres of the nearly 7,000 acres that make up the Pilot Hill parcel. Published on February 23, 2022.

January, 2022

The University of Wyoming's Ph.D. program in economics has received high marks in a new worldside ranking based on the academic success of graduates. Published January 12, 2022

WyoFile quoted UW economist David Aadland for a story on how the Wyoming Legislature will handle the state receiving a $1 billion-plus windfall -- funds received through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Published Jan 11, 2022.

Sheridan Media posted UW’s release noting that its Ph.D. program in economics has received high marks in a new worldwide ranking based on the academic success of graduates. The UW Department of Economics has a long-standing reputation for excellence in faculty research, but this new ranking highlights the department’s success in graduating leading scholars in the field. IDEAS, a worldwide organization that disseminates economics research, ranked UW 31st among U.S. universities and 66th globally. Published January 13, 2022.

UW economist Anne Alexander was interviewed by Reflector for an online article on what is causing the spikes in prices for food, gasoline and housing. Other economists joined Alexander in trying to anticipate when consumers will get relief.

UW economist Rob Godby spoke with Wyoming Public Radio on how the oil industry has rebounded as global oil prices and demand have increased in previous months. Published January 26, 2022.

December 2021

Christelle Khalaf, associate director for UW’s Center for Business and Economic Analysis, was interviewed by National Public Radio about President Joe Biden’s massive bipartisan infrastructure bill. Khalaf said the most immediate impacts of the bill would show up in the construction industry.

U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney has introduced a bill intended to safeguard states’ revenue from future leasing disruptions. In the same article, The Casper Star-Tribune reported that an estimate from UW economist Timothy Considine notes that Wyoming would have received more than $100 million in additional revenue in 2020 even though development and production declined dramatically last year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

November 2021

The fiscal outlook for the state, according to the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group (CREG), shows an increase of $248.2 million for the current fiscal year and a promising outlook the next five years. The big surprise in the CREG report is how quickly revenues have rebounded, UW economist Rob Godby said in The Casper-Star Tribune article.

Christelle Khalaf, associate director of UW’s Center for Business and Economic Analysis, was interviewed by National Public Radio about the recently passed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill and what to expect. Khalaf said the infrastructure bill will mean lower costs for producers and more jobs.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch interviewed UW economist Rob Godby on the two largest coal companies in the U.S. -- Arch and Peabody -- and the narrative the two are using in an attempt to stay afloat.

The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) published comments from Christelle Khalaf, associate director of UW’s Center for Business and Economic Analysis, in an article that detailed how the recently passed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill will impact Wyoming and its residents.

Cowboy State Daily interviewed UW economist Anne Alexander, who discussed Wyoming’s soaring cost of living. Alexander said prices for food and other consumer items probably will remain higher than average for at least a year.

October 2021

Jason Shogren, the Stroock Chair of Natural Resource Conservation and Management in the UW Department of Economics, is among academics who recently signed a letter urging the World Trade Organization (WTO) to eliminate harmful subsidies they say encourage overfishing on the high seas and in waters under national jurisdictions. Link to the full article: WTO Must Ban Harmful Fisheries Subsidies

The future of Wyoming’s economy may lie in an overhaul of its tourism industry, as well as a statewide move into more renewable energy. Economists, including UW’s Anne Alexander, made those comments during an economics forecast meeting in Cheyenne last week, according to The Laramie Boomerang.

UW economics Professor Emeritus Sherrill Shaffer was featured in WalletHub’s recent review of a credit card company’s “Double Cash Card.” Shaffer discussed the program that offers rewards and has a $0 annual fee.

UW’s Chad Baldwin, associate vice president for communications and marketing; Associated Students of UW President Hunter Swilling; and Associate Professor Linda Thunstrom were interviewed for a Laramie Boomerang article titled “Incentives give UW vaccine programs a shot in the arm.”

September 2021

Rocky Mountain Power will decommission its entire coal-fired power fleet in the state by 2039 while continuing to add wind, solar and battery storage to its six-state operating system. WyoFile interviewed UW economist Rob Godby on the company’s recent Integrated Resource Plan. Energy Central, Electrek and the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis published similar articles.

UW economics Associate Professor Linda Thunstrom was among experts who discussed a number of topics focused on COVID-19, detailing comments on the importance of vaccinations, the vaccination rollout, how the media factored in its messaging and vaccine hesitancy among the population. WalletHub published the interviews.

August 2021

UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed for a CS-T article about the companies that own the two biggest U.S. coal mines seeking royalty reductions at some Wyoming mines, despite outperforming economic projections in the second quarter of this year.

Wyoming Public Radio interviewed UW doctoral student Madison Ashworth about research into COVID-19 vaccination messaging that she and UW College of Business economists conducted. A video on this paper submission is also available, here. The article was published in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

UW economist Rob Godby spoke with The Sheridan Press about fuel shortages across America. He cited supply-chain issues, driver shortages and more people traveling this summer as factors of the shortages.

A UW economics study on President Joe Biden’s moratorium on new oil and gas leases on federal lands was cited in a Salt Lake Tribune article, titled “Utah’s oil and gas industry is as busy now as it was during Trump’s ‘energy dominance’ era.”

UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed for an episode of “Resources Radio,” a weekly podcast from Resources for the Future. He discussed some of the issues Wyoming faces because of shifting energy priorities, including struggles with economic diversification, underfunded education services and concerns that an energy transition will bring hardship for local communities.

UW Professor Tim Considine’s study that estimated the economic loss from President Joe Biden’s pause on oil and gas permits was cited in a WyoFile story. The article noted the number of rotary rigs drilling in Wyoming has tripled since the president’s leasing pause.

With the energy market changing, the Wyoming Energy Authority team is tasked with finding solutions to the state’s future, according to a Casper Star-Tribune article. UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed for the article. He said the state is long overdue for an energy strategy that looks at the future as it’s going to be.

PacifiCorp, Wyoming’s largest utility provider, announced its biennial Integrated Resource Plan will include substantial investment in renewables and no new investment in coal or natural gas. UW economist Rob Godby commented on the decision in a Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) article.

July 2021

A guest essay in The New York Times cited a study of vaccine hesitancy in Wyoming by UW economists. UW faculty members Renee Laegreid, Christine Porter and Linda Thunstrom also commented in the opinion piece, titled “How Do You Convince Tough-Minded People to Protect One Another?”

June 2021

Coal Zoom published an article that featured “Carbon Valley,” a nine-part podcast series from Wyoming Public Media. UW economist Rob Godby was quoted in the article.

Godby also was quoted in a Bloomberg Law article, titled “Western States in Open Combat Over Coal, ‘Woke’ Renewables Push.” He said that Wyoming sees fighting for the coal industry as a Republican litmus test. In related articles, The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) published a Stringr video that featured Godby, who discussed wind energy development in the state. He also was interviewed by Yale Climate Connections for a piece, titled “Can fossil-fuel-dependent Wyoming build a more diverse economy?”

UW economist Rob Godby told The Wyoming Tribune Eagle that technology for a novel nuclear energy plant proposed for Wyoming differs from that of traditional nuclear energy facilities and is a new advancement. Gov. Mark Gordon and other officials made the announcement last week about the TerraPower plant -- a cutting-edge nuclear innovation company that is the brainchild of Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates. Government Technology published the article.

UW Professor Emeritus Sherrill Shaffer offered valuable credit card balance transfer tips in a WalletHub interview.

The Laramie Boomerang interviewed UW economist Jason Shogren for an article, titled “Revitalizing Laramie’s Economy.”

Mother Jones magazine published a HuffPost article in which UW economics Professor Tim Considine’s study that claimed a drilling ban would result in massive job losses in states such as Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico was mentioned. The article, titled “Biden’s Climate Plans Are Colliding With Trump’s Judiciary,” focused on a federal judge’s ruling against President Joe Biden’s administration’s pause on new oil and gas leases.

UW economics Professor Chuck Mason is joining colleagues from the University of Texas-Austin for a major study of economic and political barriers related to carbon capture, use and storage. Carbon Capture Journal, Oil City News and The Rocket Miner published UW’s announcement.

Mining & Quarry World quoted UW economist Rob Godby for an article about a Utah coal-fired power plant that is facing closure in 2042. The article focused on energy regulators who say the West’s power grid is not ready for the state to shut down coal-fired power plants.

Gasworld, The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) and SweetwaterNOW noted that UW economics Professor Chuck Mason is joining colleagues from the University of Texas-Austin for a major study of economic and political barriers related to carbon capture, use and storage.

UW recently recognized the exceptional scholarship and teaching of four UW professors by naming them Wyoming Excellence Chairs. Wyoming News Now published UW’s release.

May 2021

UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed in a Laramie Boomerang article that focused on construction that is continuing on the Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project in Carbon County.

UW economist Rob Godby, in a K2 Radio interview, said that COVID-19 is driving up gas prices across the nation. He says more people are now on the road after the pandemic slowed production. Demand is outpacing production, which is driving up oil prices.

Godby also was interviewed by The Guardian for an article that focused on Wyoming lawmakers’ novel and controversial plan to protect the state’s mining industry -- to sue other states that refuse to take its coal.

Buckrail and The Gillette News Record published UW’s feature on UW doctoral degree candidate Madison Ashworth, from Star Valley, who was part of a faculty-led team that earned national and international attention through its cutting-edge COVID-19 research.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle published UW’s release noting that Stephen Newbold, an assistant professor of economics at UW, contributed to a study that demonstrates why keeping local lakes and other water bodies clean can deliver valuable social benefits both locally and globally. Laramie Live also published the story.

UW economist Jason Shogren spoke with Wyoming Public Media about Wyoming halting expanded unemployment benefits. He said ending the assistance will encourage some residents to return to work, but it will make things more difficult for others.

For several years, industry analysts have warned there are too many Powder River Basin coal mines chasing a shrinking customer base. WyoFile interviewed UW economist Rob Godby about the future of Wyoming’s coal industry.

Wyoming Public Radio interviewed UW Economist Steve Newbold about his study on the costs and benefits of cleaning up water sources.

April 2021

A study from Christelle Khalaf, the associate director of UW’s Center for Business and Economic Analysis, and her colleague was cited in Energy News Network for an article, titled “Solar energy chasing nuclear capacity in Ohio, but lawmakers could slow its gains.”

WalletHub interviewed Christelle Khalaf, the associate director of UW’s Center for Business and Economic Analysis, about how car insurance premiums are set and how COVID-19 has affected consumer demand for car insurance in the state.

ABC News interviewed UW economist Linda Thunstrom and Christine McKibbin, director of the Wyoming Center on Aging at UW, for a feature, titled “How Wyoming became the most vaccine-hesitant state.” The article noted that the percentage of reluctant residents in Wyoming is double the national average. The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) published a similar article citing Thunstrom’s research.

Rob Godby, acting associate dean of the UW Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, was among speakers -- including Vice President Kamala Harris -- for an Earth Day climate special, titled “Action Planet: Meeting the Climate Challenge” that was on several television stations last week, according to the Discovery Channel.

Boise State Public Radio interviewed Godby, an energy economist, on President Joe Biden’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Godby says the proposal could significantly reduce demand for fossil fuels across the Rocky Mountain states, but it also could create new opportunities for renewable energy in states with ample sun and wind, of which the West has a lot.

UW economist Jason Shogren discussed how climate change could quickly affect the global economy. A report by Swiss Re says climate change could eliminate as much as 14 percent of the global economic output in the space of 30 years. “Marketplace Morning Report,” a business news program, carried Shogren’s comments.

March 2021

UW economist Rob Godby was among four panelists in Cheyenne last week to discuss the future of Wyoming’s finances, The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported.

A research paper on the net benefits of social distancing policies during the pandemic -- produced by a UW economics team -- was named the best article for 2020 by the Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis, which published the original study last April. Oil City News published UW’s announcement.

E&E News interviewed UW economist Rob Godby and cited several ongoing university initiatives for an article, titled “Coal-rich Wyoming eyes net-zero emissions. Is that possible?” Godby also was interviewed by Newsrust for an article focusing on wind farms being developed in Wyoming’s coal country.

UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed for an article that appeared in Coal Zoom, titled “What’s In Store for Wyoming Coal Under Biden’s Executive Orders?” The article originally appeared in The CS-T.

Februray 2021

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle republished an article that quoted a number of experts on whether Wyoming residents will get the COVID-19 vaccine. Discussing the economic side, UW economist Rob Godby said it is possible that the longer people resist being vaccinated, the longer the pandemic will last -- and the greater the economic fallout will be.

A UW study, which forecast that a federal leasing moratorium could cost Wyoming governments $300 million a year, was cited in a National Public Radio piece focusing on Biden’s nationwide 60-day moratorium on new oil and natural gas leases and drilling permits. UW economist Rob Godby was quoted in Inside Sources on a related article.

Wyoming Public Radio interviewed Godby about a report that coal production will be gone by 2033. Godby said this is the first time he’s heard a prediction this soon, and he is skeptical coal’s use in the U.S. could completely dry up by then.

Godby, a member of Power Wyoming, an interdisciplinary group tasked with analyzing the state’s economic future, discussed with The Wyoming Tribune Eagle a recent poll by the group that indicates state residents are concerned about K-12 budget cuts and possible tax increases.

WyoFile spoke with UW economist Rob Godby about the ramifications of Arch Resources closing its Coal Creek mine next year. Godby discussed the future of the Powder River Basin’s coal mining industry. PolitiFact quoted energy experts, including Godby, on how President Joe Biden’s order to halt the Keystone oil pipeline project will affect prices.

Rob Godby, UW’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources acting associate dean and an economics associate professor, has been named interim dean of the College of Business. The CS-T reported that David Sprott, the outgoing dean, has accepted a similar position at Claremont Graduate University in California.

January 2021

UW economist Rob Godby discussed with The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) what it means for the Powder River Basin now that Peabody Energy is refinancing its debt. Godby says the refinancing package helps Peabody Energy avoid financial catastrophe. In a related article published in The Wyoming Tribune Eagle, Godby discussed Wyoming’s coal future.

With the U.S. Senate now controlled by Democrats, UW economist Chuck Mason said any overhauls to the nation’s energy policies would take time to trickle down to oil and gas. He made his comments in a Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) article focusing on what this means for Wyoming’s energy sector.

UW economist Rob Godby told The CS-T that about 1,600 coal jobs could disappear in Wyoming over the next decade due to coal’s structural decline.

The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) interviewed UW economist Rob Godby, who said that earlier reductions of social services by Gov. Mark Gordon’s budget proposal would have consequences, despite a report last week indicating that a new forecast lowers revenue shortfall for the state.

Wyoming’s hopes of exporting Powder River Basin coal from a West Coast terminal were dashed when the project’s owner filed for bankruptcy and failed to find an interested buyer, according to a CS-T article published by The Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Godby said it is unlikely another buyer will be found.

High Country News quoted Godby for an article on Pinedale residents voting to build a new hospital during a time when Wyoming is seeing severe budget cuts that will affect communities.

The CS-T reported that the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City noted that oil and gas production has rebounded “moderately” in the region, but still trails pre-pandemic levels. UW economist Chuck Mason was interviewed for the article.

WalletHub interviewed Sherrill Shaffer, UW’s Guthrie Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Banking and Financial Services, for an article on zero percent interest credit cards, which are cards that do not charge interest on purchases for a certain number of months after opening an account.

The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) interviewed UW economist Rob Godby in an article about Wyoming legislators preparing to tackle massive budget cuts in the coming legislative session. Godby discussed taxes, noting that economic development is not just about low taxes, but the ability to keep funding services.

December 2020

UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed in a Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) article that focused on how the Wyoming Legislature is setting aside funds to promote coal production, while some state government entities are facing severe budget cuts. He said money set aside to prop up coal is not a huge amount in the state’s overall budget, but “every dollar counts” during the current recession and pandemic. Coal Zoom also published the article.

November 2020

The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) interviewed several Wyoming industry leaders on what a Joe Biden administration would mean for the state’s oil, gas and coal producers. UW economist Chuck Mason said any overhauls to the nation’s energy policies will take time to trickle down to the industries’ producers.

WyoFile interviewed UW economist Rob Godby on Arch Coal’s decision to close its two largest companies in the Powder River Basin even as it looks for a buyer for the properties.

Before last week’s presidential election, UW economist Rob Godby spoke with S&P Global about how the coal industry saw a diminished role in the presidential race. Godby discussed the slim odds for new coal-fired plants being built in the near future.

WyoFile’s latest article on the state’s dwindling coal production focuses on Peabody Energy’s financial outlook that points to an exit from Wyoming coal. UW economist Rob Godby commented on the latest development on Peabody, the largest coal company in the Powder River Basin. The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) also published a similar article.

Godby also was interviewed by The St. Louis Post-Dispatch for a column, titled “With coal demand sinking fast, bankruptcy re-enters the conversation at Peabody.” Coal Zoom published a similar article.

October 2020

A Bloomberg article indicating that technology used to combat climate change could boost the ailing U.S. coal industry has provoked disagreements between Wyoming and Rocky Mountain Power. The company wants to move away from coal in favor of wind and solar energy. UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed for the article.

The Washington Times published an Associated Press article focusing on a coal mining company that has not secured federal leases for two Powder River Basin mines it bought and reopened almost a year ago. Godby was quoted in the original article.

Godby also commented on a CS-T article on a federal court’s decision that would uphold the Federal Trade Commission’s decision to block a proposed joint venture by two leading coal firms. The decision could have widespread implications for coal production in the Powder River Basin. WyoFile published a related article with Godby’s comments.

A CS-T article quoted UW economist Rob Godby about a little-known utility plan that could have big implications for small Wyoming communities.

The Exponent published an article that quoted UW economist Rob Godby. The original article, titled “Major Wyoming coal company suffers huge losses, plans to divest from thermal coal,” appeared in The CS-T.

September 2020

County 17 published an E&E News article about repurposing abandoned coal mines for renewable energy projects in West Virginia and Wyoming. UW economist Rob Godby said in the article that former mining sites come with their own sets of considerations and challenges.

County 17 republished an article in which UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed on the fate of a coal merger between the two largest coal companies in the Powder River Basin. The story originally appeared in E&E News.

July 2020

Yahoo! News interviewed UW economist Chuck Mason for an article on the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline and the continued environmental backlash. Mason said he doesn’t think any amount of political or financial investment can make the project more successful in the long term.

UW economist Rob Godby was part of a statewide webinar, titled “Reclaiming and Growing Wyoming’s Future,” that examined Wyoming’s energy future, reported The Rocket Miner.

The federal government has moved to block the venture planned by Peabody Energy Corp. and Arch Resources Inc. over concerns the move could stifle competition and hurt consumers by hiking up prices for the commodity. The article, first published by The CS-T that quoted Godby, was republished on Pocatello, Idaho television station KPVI.

In a CS-T article, reprinted in Coal Zoom, UW economist Rob Godby said the state could see the most substantial loss in coal production on a percentage basis since modern day coal mining began in the Powder River Basin.

A recent report by the National Bureau of Economic Research stated that coal counties, including those in the Powder River Basin, could lose up to 20 percent of revenues if the coal industry continues to decline. County 17 interviewed UW economist Rob Godby about the report.

WalletHub interviewed UW business Professor Emeritus Sherrill Shaffer on a piece about business credit cards with rewards.

The CS-T published a column by UW economist Rob Godby and Ben Alexander on the current health pandemic and resulting fiscal emergency that have exposed the fragility of Wyoming’s narrow economy and revenue model. Alexander is a senior program adviser at Resource Legacy Fund, established in Western states.

May 2020

The CS-T interviewed UW economist Rob Godby, who discussed the continuing decline of Wyoming’s coal industry. He said as long as the COVID-19-induced recession and surplus of electricity generation continue, demand for coal is going to be weak.

County 17 quoted Godby on how a combination of COVID-19 and falling coal prices led to the layoff of 300 Powder River Basin miners in one day.

UW economist Chuck Mason was quoted in a University of Pennsylvania media release on plunging oil prices and what they mean for U.S. producers.

The Harvard Crimson interviewed UW economist Jason Shogren for an article on Harvard’s goal of achieving a carbon-neutral endowment. Gathering emissions data and evaluating available carbon sequestration technologies may pose logistical and environmental challenges for the university, according to the article.

Wired cited research by a team of UW economists for an article, titled “How Much Is a Human Life Actually Worth?,” that focused on the U.S. economy reopening amid a deadly pandemic. The paper, “The Benefits and Costs of Using Social Distancing to Flatten the Curve for COVID-19,” was written by Linda Thunstrom, Stephen Newbold, David Finnoff, Jason Shogren and graduate student Madison Ashworth, from Star Valley.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that the U.S. was as unprepared as experts feared, given the responses to the Ebola scare in 2014, according to several economists, including UW’s Jason Shogren, David Aadland, David Finnoff and Alexandre Skiba, reported Medical Xpress and Science Daily. The economists wrote the article that first appeared in EcoHealth, an international journal that addresses health and sustainability challenges.

Forbes interviewed a number of oil and gas experts, including UW economist Charles Mason, who said they expect America’s oil and gas sector to rebound once demand by consumers begins to rise.

UW economist Rob Godby is quoted in a Financial Times story about how the coronavirus pandemic is accelerating the decline of the coal industry.

A UW economics team noted that, even if a vaccine for COVID-19 is developed and made widely available, about 20 percent of Americans will likely decline to receive it. The Wyoming Tribune Eagle and KGAB Radio published UW’s release.

Anne Alexander was named the acting UW provost and vice president for academic affairs. The Boomerang noted that Seidel selected Alexander for the position.

Coal Zoom interviewed UW economist Rob Godby for an article focusing on Arch Coal’s decision to move away from thermal coal.

The Washington Post interviewed UW economist Linda Thunstrom for an article, titled “The government has spent decades studying what a life is worth. It hasn’t made a difference in the COVID-19 crisis.” Thunstrom and her UW colleagues have published extensively on the subject the last two months. Insurance Journal and London’s The Independent published similar articles.

April 5, 2020 - Four UW Department of Economics professors combined for a Politico article, titled "We Were Skeptical Social Distancing Was Worth the Economic Cost. Then We Modeled It." The costs of slowing the economy are high, but are worth it from an economic perspective, wrote David Finnoff, Stephen Newbold, Jason Shogren and Linda Thunstrom, along with economics graduate student Madison Ashworth.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle interviewed Thunstrom, who discussed the need for social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. Thunstrom recently co-wrote a new report that weighed the costs and benefits of shutting down the economy to curb the spread of COVID-19. Cowboy State Daily, The National Review and The Sheridan Press published similar articles about Thunstrom’s research into social distancing.

UW economist Rob Godby commented in a CS-T article that detailed how coal production in Wyoming continued to tumble, with output during the first quarter setting a new two-decade low, data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows.

Cowboy State Daily interviewed Godby for an article as to why Wyoming’s gas prices at the pump are not as low as compared to other states.

WIRED interviewed UW economist Rob Godby for an article that focused on Wyoming’s wind energy future. The article stated that the Cowboy State could be a renewable energy juggernaut but is dominated by fossil fuels.

According to an analysis by Godby, employment reductions in the Powder River Basin have not kept pace with the deteriorating demand for coal in recent years. His study was cited in a Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) story on workforce reductions at three coal mines in the basin.

Cowboy State Daily interviewed UW economists Godby and Linda Thunstrom for an article on how the pandemic could affect Wyoming’s housing market. Thunstrom said there is less data coming in right now because of stay-at-home orders, and the overall effect will not be known until all information is received.

Thunstrom penned an article for the science journal Nautilus about the effectiveness of using prayer to address COVID-19. While religion can promote prosocial behavior and prayer can offer comfort to people, it also can interfere with public efforts aimed at controlling a crisis, she says.

A study by four UW economists was cited by Resources Magazine for an article, titled “Can Economics Tell Us When It’s Safe to Return to Life as We Knew It?” Writing the study were UW professors David Finnoff, Stephen Newbold, Jason Shogren and Thunstrom, along with economics graduate student Madison Ashworth. Their work noted that the costs of slowing the economy are high, but are worth it from an economic perspective.

OnOffice Magazine interviewed Finnoff on how the coronavirus COVID-19 will change how offices will be constructed to safeguard against future pandemics.

The Latin American Post, in Colombia, Wyo4News and Oil City News published UW’s release on that same analysis, which was published by UW economists Linda Thunstrom, lead author on the study, Stephen Newbold, David Finnoff and Jason Shogren, and graduate student Madison Ashworth, of Star Valley. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock cited the UW team’s study in his letter to the state’s legislators, who he says are “politicizing” the pandemic, according to The Independent Record in Helena. Alaska Public Media published a similar article.

E&E News, a news organization focusing on energy and the environment, interviewed Shogren for an article, titled “If one life costs $10M, economists say keep the U.S. closed.”

UW’s release noting the increased time constraints and the need for convenience in raising children appear to offset parents’ concerns about the future when it comes to their carbon footprints, was published by Science Daily and Environmental News Network. Shogren and Thunstrom, along with a colleague in Sweden, conducted the research.

UW economist Rob Godby spoke with The CS-T about Wyoming operators who are still feeling the economic pinch despite a global deal last week to offset the crude oil glut. Godby says the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has a lot to do with too much oil on the market. He also spoke with Wyoming Public Radio on the same subject.

The CS-T interviewed Godby for an article that focused on the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City that reported a sobering snapshot of the U.S. energy sector during the coronavirus pandemic.

Godby also was interviewed by Energy Central regarding how COVID-19 is affecting how wind energy is being hampered in Wyoming.

UW economist Rob Godby discussed with The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) the ramifications of the negative price for oil, especially for Wyoming’s producers. Godby also was quoted in The Tennessean on how the pandemic has affected energy markets in central America.

ADVFN and Fidelity Investments Research, both financial market websites, quoted Godby for an article on how the rapidly falling oil prices will affect regional economies.

With the COVID-19 economic shutdown, Wyoming coal production might see a decline of about 18 percent this year -- 8 percent more than earlier projections, according to UW’s Godby -- The CS-T noted.

March 29, 2020 - A UW team of economists, led by Linda Thunstrom, explored the effects of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, including closing schools and universities and cancellation of cultural events and sports leagues, reported Bloomberg News.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle interviewed UW economist Rob Godby, who said the worst is yet to come as unemployment figures in the Cowboy State increase significantly because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Godby was interviewed for a Gillette News Record article on how the COVID-19 pandemic is another major hit on the already-reeling coal industry in Wyoming.

The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) also interviewed Godby, who commented on Gov. Mark Gordon’s approval of a mineral tax break for the oil and gas industry during the recent volatile market worldwide for the industry.

The CS-T interviewed Godby for an article on how the nation’s coal industry, including in Wyoming, will see little return from the federal stimulus package that was approved by Congress last week.

March 22, 2020 - WyoFile interviewed UW economists Jason Shogren and Rob Godby on how COVID-19 will affect Wyoming’s economy. Godby discussed the hit Wyoming’s energy sector will take, while Shogren discussed the sudden shift in human behavior that drives economic activity.

The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) cited Godby’s analysis that employment reductions have not kept pace with the deteriorating desire for coal in Wyoming. Amid waning demand, productivity at most Powder River Basin mines has been falling as well.

In a CS-T article, focusing on U.S. Sen. John Barrasso urging Saudi Arabia’s crown prince to stabilize oil markets, UW economist Charles Mason also was interviewed. He said Saudi Arabia and Russia are not nearly as important in crude markets as some believe, as there are other sources of supply.

Mason also was interviewed by The CS-T and said that, with oil prices tumbling, and investors shedding energy shares as COVID-19 continues to spread worldwide, the demand for motor vehicle products such as gasoline will hurt the crude oil industry nationwide.

The New York Times interviewed UW economist Linda Thunstrom on what felt like a taboo question: “Are we overreacting?’’ as an America desperate to stem the coronavirus outbreak put in place sweeping restrictions last week on every facet of public life.

March 15, 2020 - UW wife and husband economists Linda Thunstrom and Jason Shogren were interviewed about the novel coronavirus’ social effects in a New York Times article titled, “Some Ask a Taboo Question: Is America Overreacting to Coronavirus?”

Despite the sharp turn in events last week when oil prices plunged worldwide, UW economist Charles Mason said, in a CS-T interview, that Wyoming producers should not panic. He said there is a tempered recovery within sight, with oil prices likely rising again within a few weeks.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle published a similar article and interviewed another UW economist, Rob Godby. He said there are no answers on how long the price war in the Middle East could last.

UW economist Rob Godby spoke with The CS-T about the announcement of planned layoffs at the Buckskin Coal Mine, located near Gillette in the Powder River Basin.

March 8, 2020 - In a Wall Street Journal article, titled “Global Viral Outbreaks Like Coronavirus, Once Rare, Will Become More Common,” UW economics Professor David Finnoff says the U.S. needs to build a stronger health infrastructure to fight future pandemics. Other experts interviewed said various factors are driving a rise in worldwide epidemics.

March 1, 2020 - UW economist Rob Godby was among experts discussing with The CS-T Wyoming’s potential acquisition of 1 million acres of land and 4 million acres of mineral rights, which has prompted many questions.

The Omaha World-Herald interviewed UW economist Charles Mason about the Keystone XL pipeline, which is facing construction delays caused by weak oil demand and cheap alternative sources.

February 23, 2020 - MSN republished a New York Times article that quoted UW economist Rob Godby on Kanye West, who is living part time in Cody. West is attempting to bring his Yeezy clothing line to Cody.

In a roundup of energy news, Invest Advocate and Oil Price.com published a brief about declining coal production in Wyoming. The brief mentioned that Godby predicts this year Wyoming will more than likely see another decline of some 30 million tons of coal produced.

Cowboy State Daily interviewed Godby for an article on declining natural gas production in Wyoming. Godby said prices have fallen dramatically because of too much natural gas on the market.

January 12, 2020 - Charles Mason, associate dean of research in the College of Business and H.A. "Dave" True, Jr. Professor of Petroleum and Natural Gas Economics, is quoted in an article on the first U.S. airline to go carbon neutral in Earth & Space Science News.

It’s unlikely that coal export capacity on the West Coast will increase anytime soon, UW economist Rob Godby says in an article.

Godby also is quoted in articles on the state of the coal industry in S&P Global and the Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T). He’s also a source in a CS-T story about the potential development of wind energy in Wyoming.

The biggest market for carbon dioxide captured by carbon capture technology in coal-burning power plants is for enhanced oil recovery, Godby says in another CS-T article.

December 22, 2019 - The Jackson Hole News and Guide interviewed UW economist Rob Godby for an article on how Teton County leads the nation in per capita income.

Godby was quoted in an S&P Global Platts article, titled “U.S. Coal Sector Remains in Rough Shape Into the 2020s After Decade of Decline.”

December 15, 2019 - UW economics Assistant Professor Linda Thunström and former UW instructor Shiri Noy published “The value of thoughts and prayers.” Their research was cited in The Times of Israel in an article, titled “Researchers measure the dollar value of ‘thoughts and prayers.’”

December 8, 2019 - The Gillette News Record published an article on Moriah Powder River LLC, which recently filed for bankruptcy. UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed for the article, which focused on the company’s $11.15 million in unpaid ad valorem mineral taxes owed to Johnson County.

November 24, 2019 - UW Researcher: Prayers Can Crowd Out Donations for Disaster Victims People who offer prayers for victims of natural disasters may be less likely to donate to those victims, according to research by a University of Wyoming economist. Read More

The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) noted that a surge in natural gas production nationwide, coupled with declining prices, have put energy operators in Wyoming in a bind, as competition could have jarring consequences for the state’s economy. UW economist Rob Godby’s data report on the related topic was cited in the article. He made similar comments in an Energy Wire News article and also with Wyoming Public Media.

The CS-T published a column contributed by Godby and UW agricultural economist Roger Coupal, titled
“Wyoming’s mineral tax trap creates tough choices.”

Route Fifty, a publication that connects the leaders and ideas advancing state and local governments across America, interviewed Godby about Wyoming’s declining coal industry. The article focused on coal-producing states attempting to export coal to Asian markets through West Coast ports.

UW economist Jason Shogren penned a piece for WyoFile focusing on the state’s future as Wyoming faces an economic transition. Shogren’s article is among six articles in WyoFile’s “Re-regulation” special edition.

KUER public radio in Salt Lake City published a Wyoming Public Radio story in which UW economist Chuck Mason discussed how the Mountain West has struggled to see significant growth in natural gas price increases because of being farther away from where the demand is and lack of better export facilities. He adds that Wyoming also will not see as much growth because of geology increasing prices.

Science Magazine and Homeland Security Newswire published UW’s release on the research of economist Linda Thunstrom, who found that people who offer prayers for victims of natural disasters might be less likely to donate to those victims. The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) also noted Thunstrom’s research.

Cowboy State Daily noted that UW economist Rob Godby is among the “Power Wyoming” team, appointed by the governor, that is providing legislators several scenarios for mineral-based state revenue streams during the next five years.

November 17, 2019 - The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported that UW economist Rob Godby, in a revenue presentation to the Legislature’s Joint Revenue Committee, highlighted the four most-likely scenarios for the next few years. All projections show a structural deficit, showing that the state can no longer rely on revenues from the energy industry.

The Navajo Nation will not financially back bonds a tribal energy company needs for a trio of newly acquired coal mines, including two in the Powder River Basin, according to The Gillette News Record. Godby discussed how the tribe will not guarantee bonds after the Navajo Transitional Energy Co. purchased three of Cloud Peak’s mines in Wyoming and Montana.

Breitbart interviewed Godby, who told the conservative news website that the decline of the U.S. coal market has hurt good-paying union jobs of many West Virginia miners. Nine U.S. coal mining companies have declared bankruptcy this year. Godby also commented on a Cowboy State Daily article, titled “Losing coal could cost Wyoming dearly, take decades to recalibrate labor force.”

November 10, 2019 - UW economist Rob Godby commented to Energy and Environmental News that Wyoming officials have to be cautious as unknown coal mine companies have moved into the state to take over some of the nation’s largest bankrupt coal mines in the Powder River Basin. Coal Zoom published the article on its website.

Godby also was quoted in a CS-T piece about coal production in Powder River Basin hitting a 20-year low last quarter, according to data released by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration. Godby said the biggest challenge Wyoming faces is not power plant closures but mining production declines.

November 3, 2019 - UW economist Anne Alexander talked with Cowboy State Daily about the state’s economy, which continues to grow, but at a slower pace than in the past -- raising the question of whether a recession is in the near future.

WyoFile covered a panel discussion that focused on the lessons learned and the concerns about future coal troubles and how the state is prepared to deal with them during the recent Energy Law and Policy in the Rockies conference. UW economist Rob Godby moderated the panel discussion.

Godby was quoted in an article comparing the intake of tourism dollars between Wyoming and Montana. His comments were first published in The Billings Gazette and republished in The Ravalli Republic. NBC Montana published the article on its website.

October 20, 2019 - UW economist Rob Godby commented on a WyoFile article that focused on Senate File 159’s “New Opportunities for Wyoming Coal Fired Generation” bill. The law, enacted earlier this year, requires public utilities that want to retire a coal unit in Wyoming to first make a good-faith effort to sell it to a third-party buyer.

October 13, 2019 - A pioneer in the field of behavioral economics and a University of Wyoming graduate will give a talk Friday, Oct. 18, at UW. Read More

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported that UW economist Anne Alexander discussed the shortage of affordable housing in Laramie County. She spoke at a Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Business Week event.

October 6, 2019 - The CS-T interviewed UW economist Rob Godby in an article about PacifiCorp’s most recent wind energy plan that will revamp the future of Wyoming’s energy landscape. Godby also spoke with The Wyoming Tribune Eagle about the early retirement of some of Wyoming’s coal-fired power plants.

Linda Thunström, a UW economics assistant professor, discussed her research on “thoughts and prayers” in a Boomerang article.

September 29, 2019 - The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) interviewed UW economist Jason Shogren about Wyoming’s massive investment income that helps provide key funds that help pay the state’s bills. Shogren discussed the risks involved in investing in the stock market, especially if a recession hits the U.S.

UW economist Rob Godby urged lawmakers to come up with good objective analysis as the Wyoming Legislature’s revenue committee again considers taxing electricity generation, reported the CS-T.

September 16, 2019 - Groundbreaking research by a University of Wyoming economist has shed new light on the controversial topic of the value of “thoughts and prayers” in response to natural and human-caused disasters. Read More

UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed by Voice of America, the largest U.S. international broadcaster. Godby discussed the Blackjewel mining company and future of Wyoming’s coal and Wyoming legislators’ attempts to ward off the closing of the Kemmerer mine. Godby also spoke with The Wall Street Journal and The Chicago Tribune about the recent closings of Powder River Basin coal mines and the reality that is facing Wyoming’s energy future. He was interviewed for a CS-T piece on the declining pace of coal. Godby’s interviews also were republished in The New Delhi Times, Israel’s Haaretz website, Breitbart and Coal Zoom.

In a CS-T article published by Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, Godby was interviewed for a story focusing on the retirement of multiple Wyoming coal-fired power plants that could lead to hefty cost savings.

September 8, 2019 - The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) reported that the Joint Minerals Committee proposed marketing the Powder River Basin’s coal to new customers, hoping to boost the industry by connecting its product to international markets. UW economist Rob Godby offered comments during the legislative committee hearing discussing the reality of the coal industry’s decline in the state.

Godby also is quoted in a CS-T article about the grim outlook for Wyoming’s coal-fired power in several draft plans presented by PacifiCorp to stakeholders recently. And he was interviewed for an article in E&E News about Navajo Transitional Energy Co. taking over three mines in Montana and Wyoming, replacing bankrupt former owner Cloud Peak Energy Inc. as the nation’s third-largest coal company.

September 1, 2019 - UW economist Rob Godby told The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) that prospects for Wyoming coal miners returning to their jobs look grim after a judge ruled that bankrupt coal operator Blackjewel could proceed with the sale of a West Virginia coal mine separately from the sale of the Eagle Butte and Belle Ayr mines in the Powder River Basin. Godby also was quoted by Coal Zoom and The Laramie Boomerang in related articles. Coal Zoom mentioned UW’s ongoing coal research in another article.

August 25, 2019 - UW economist Rob Godby told The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) the coal industry in the Powder River Basin will be productive for some years to come, but the state must make sure that “it’s as healthy as possible to minimize disruption during any transitions.”

August 14, 2019 -UW economist Rob Godby spoke with The CS-T, which noted that Contura Energy has yet to complete the purchase of two Wyoming mines from bankrupt operator Blackjewel, according to a quarterly report released last week.

Godby and Jonathan Naughton, director of the UW Wind Energy Research Center, were quoted in a CS-T article on how new wind energy projects in Wyoming could generate thousands of jobs and billions in revenue. The Billings Gazette also carried the story.

August 6, 2019 - WallettHub interviewed UW Professor Emeritus Sherrill Shaffer about which credit cards are best suited for individual consumers.

August 6, 2019 -The Billings Gazette published a CS-T article quoting UW economist Rob Godby about the sale of Blackjewell’s two coal mines in the Powder River Basin. Even though the mines are slated to be reopened soon, several obstacles remain. The Gillette News Record and Market Screener interviewed Godby for similar articles.

Godby was quoted in China’s SX Coal website in an article about several U.S. coal-fired coal plants that will be retired, cutting back on coal production in the states.

July 31, 2019 - The CS-T also interviewed Godby about Cloud Peak Energy’s request to delay the scheduled auction and sales hearing of the Cordero Rojo and Antelope coal mines. The Gillette News Record carried a similar article.

July 30, 2019 - The CS-T interviewed UW economist Rob Godby for an article, titled “A timeline of the month since Blackjewel declared bankruptcy."

July 29, 2019 - The CS-T interviewed Godby, who said the contraction of the market for coal has caused “cutthroat competition,” as too many coal companies pursue too few customers. The article focused on the bankruptcy cases of two coal mines in the Powder River Basin.

July 25, 2019 - In a TV interview with Bloomberg Business News, Godby discussed the diminishing use of coal power.

July 24, 2019 - The Gillette News Record also interviewed Godby for stories on how Blackjewel LLC’s shutdown is putting its longtime contract with Jeffrey Energy Center in jeopardy; Blackjewel’s recent deal to sell the Belle Ayr and Eagle Butte mines to Contura Energy; and 24 percent of coal production in the Powder River Basin is for sale.

July 24, 2019 - UW economist Rob Godby told Wyoming Public Radio that, of the company’s assets, Antelope mine is the most attractive of the two coal mines closing in the Powder River Basin. He pointed to lower mining costs, higher quality coal and more diversified contracts as compared to those at the Cordero Rojo mine.

July 23, 2019 - The 74, a nonpartisan news site covering education in America, interviewed UW economist Chuck Mason on the “dire” future of nuclear power plants. As plants close in record numbers across the U.S., small-town school districts brace for catastrophic tax losses, according to the article.

July 19, 2019 -UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed by The CS-T for an article focused on the delayed study forecasting the future of coal plans in Wyoming. The study considers how changes to energy regulations, prices and technology could affect ratepayers’ electricity prices. He also was interviewed for High Country News for an article, titled “With coal in free-fall, Wyoming faces an uncertain future.”

Godby told Joint Revenue Committee members that the state could expect at least a 25 percent decline in coal production by 2025, noted a CS-T article on how lawmakers are dealing with budget cuts. Wyoming will operate under its smallest budget in nearly two decades for 2019-2020. He commented to Wyoming Public Radio’s story on “A Watershed Year: Companies Begin To Adapt As Powder River Basin Restructures,” and also gave perspective in The CS-T’s article on the timeline since mining company Blackjewell declared bankruptcy.

July 12, 2019 - CBS News interviewed Godby about two Powder River Basin mines that shut down recently. Godby said there are too many coal mines and too little demand for the product, which have been driving prices down. Vox quoted Godby on the domino effect of coal mine closures in Wyoming. He also was among experts who said Western coal reorganizations might provide needed consolidation, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.

July 10, 2019 - The Gillette News Record interviewed Godby for an updated article about Blackjewel’s reorganization plan, which affects its two Powder River Basin coal mines. He also was interviewed by Wyoming Public Radio on what it will take the company to reopen the two mines.

July 8, 2019 - The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) noted that UW economists Rob Godby and Benjamin Cook presented a report to lawmakers that an increase in wind taxes as high as $4 per megawatt hour could stall out development efforts and nullify any economic benefit that wind could provide the state. Finding the correct balance for a wind tax may be the biggest challenge for legislators, according to the article. Godby also was quoted by The Wyoming Tribune Eagle and U.S. News and World Report for related articles.

July 3, 2019 - UW economist Rob Godby was quoted in an article published by Coal Zoom that focused on the potential loss of more than 600 jobs with the closure of Blackjewel LLC’s Eagle Butte and Belle Ayr coal mines near Gillette last week.

The Gillette News Record also interviewed Godby for another article on the closure of the two mines.

June 30, 2019 - UW economist Rob Godby discussed with The Wisconsin State Journal the potential for utility rate hikes for Wisconsin residents with the proposed merger of Arch Coal and Peabody coal mines in Wyoming. The mines produce 60 percent of coal shipped to Wisconsin for use by that state’s power utilities.

Godby also spoke with The Gillette News Record about several shareholders who allege Cloud Peak Energy intentionally undervalued assets during its bankruptcy filing.

June 20, 2019 - The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) interviewed UW economist Rob Godby, who said last week’s merger between Arch Coal and Peabody Energy would probably not compromise the partnership from the Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust division, which enforces laws to ensure a competitive marketplace. The St. Louis Dispatch and The Wall Street Journal interviewed Godby for similar articles.

June 17, 2019 - Godby also told The Gillette News Record that it is difficult to predict how much interest there will be to sell the financially struggling coal company Cloud Peak Energy, which has assets in the Powder River Basin. He also commented to WyoFile about Gov. Mark Gordon’s push to help save Wyoming’s coal industry.

June 12, 2019 - The Gillette News Record interviewed UW economist Rob Godby about the implications of a bankruptcy court’s ruling that clears the way for Cloud Peak Energy Inc. to potentially pay millions of dollars in back taxes and fees. Cloud Peak owns two mines in Campbell County.

June 4, 2019 - WyoFile interviewed UW economist Rob Godby and former UW finance administrator Bill Mai for a piece on how declining coal production in the state is actually hurting Wyoming’s tax base.

May 15, 2019 - UW economist Rob Godby discussed, with Wyoming Public Radio, Cloud Peak Energy’s decision to file for bankruptcy and what it means for the company’s creditors and payment of back taxes to Campbell and Converse counties.

May 13, 2019 - Professor Jason Shogren will receive an honorary doctorate from Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet (SLU) in Umeå, Sweden, this fall. Read More

May 6, 2019 -UW economics Professor Emeritus Sherrill Shaffer was featured in WalletHub's recent piece about foreign transaction fees and how consumers should be cautious about how fees are applied. Forbes also interviewed Shaffer about hidden credit card fees.

April 26, 2019 -Ben Cook, UW’s Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute visiting professor, discussed with Wyoming Public Radio how Cloud Peak Energy’s struggles began.

April 23, 2019 - The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, in a podcast, featured UW economist Chuck Mason, who discussed why oil markets are undergoing fundamental change. Indian Strategic Studies also published the article. Mason also discussed with Wyoming Public Radio a new bidder that hopes to purchase Anadarko Petroleum, a major oil and gas player in Wyoming.

April 23, 2019 -UW economist Rob Godby discussed with S&P Global how large Powder River Basin coal companies are cutting production, while smaller companies are struggling to maintain a steady cash flow.

April 18, 2019 - UW economist Felix Naschold presented an invited seminar at Colorado State University’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics introducing a new method to study inequalities of well-being within households. Inequalities within rural Tanzania households are substantial. Young children are particularly affected when households hit hard times.

April 12, 2019 -The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) interviewed UW economist Rob Godby, who agrees with Moody’s Investor Service, a credit rating agency, that Wyoming’s Powder River Basin coal production faces a bleak future. Coal Zoom also quoted Godby on the impending bankruptcy of Cloud Peak Energy.

April 8, 2019 - UW economist Rob Godby commented on a Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) article on the rapidly declining production of coal in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin, the largest coal-producing region in the country.

March 28, 2019 -The CS-T interviewed UW economist Jason Shogren, who said Wyoming has no other industries besides the energy industry that could generate more millionaires for an article asking why the rich are not moving to the state because of lower taxes.

March 18, 2019 -UW economist Rob Godby was quoted in an Associated Press article about the financial woes of Cloud Peak Energy, which appears headed for bankruptcy. The article was published on K2 Radio’s website.

March 13, 2019 -Wyoming Public Radio interviewed UW economist Rob Godby, who discussed three bills intended to tax wind energy in the state that were introduced in the Wyoming Legislature this year. A similar article was published by Civil and Structural Engineer.

March 12, 2019 -CNBC interviewed UW economist Chuck Mason on an article about Canada’s growing energy crisis. Low oil prices have put the economy of Alberta – the country’s largest oil producer -- in crisis, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

March 11, 2019 - A new report by UW economists Rob Godby and Ben Cook, of the Center for Energy Economics and Public Policy, analyzes the impact of tax policies on wind farm development in the West, according to The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T).

March 7, 2019 -UW economist Jason Shogren’s comments related to the Wyoming Legislature’s bill that aims to save failing coal mines in the state were picked up on an MSNBC segment, titled “Climate change is not one issue.”

February 27, 2019 - Cloud Peak Energy has yet to release fourth-quarter earnings, leading to speculation among industry leaders that the company is on the brink of bankruptcy, and the silence is leading to more speculation, UW economist Rob Godby said in an interview published by Coal Zoom.com.

February 26, 2019 -Wyoming Public Radio (WPR) interviewed UW economist Jay Shogren about a bill to keep retiring coal plants alive. Shogren said the bill would likely raise electrical rates, basically taking the form of a tax in order to keep coal moving. Godby and Shogren both were quoted in a Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) article about the legislation.

February 13, 2019 -UW economist Rob Godby commented to The Wyoming Tribune Eagle as to why gas prices are more important to most Americans than health care and saving money when it comes to household budgets.

February 11, 2019 -UW economist Jay Shogren commented about progressive Democrats who are introducing their new Green Deal that Wyoming’s congressional delegation says would hamper the state’s economy, reported The Casper Star-Tribune (The CS-T).

January 23, 2019 -Coal Zoom interviewed UW economist Rob Godby, who discussed how the current coal industry climate is affecting Wyoming producers, including Cloud Peak Energy Inc., which owns three mines in the Powder River Basin.

January 17, 2019 -UW economist Rob Godby commented to North American Wind Power that a proposed wind tax currently on the Wyoming Legislature’s docket is just over one-tenth of 1 percent of the total state revenues Wyoming collects, making the fiscal deficit argument “a weak one.”

January 14, 2019 -UW economist Chuck Mason told The Casper Star-Tribune that the drop in crude oil price that occurred over the last few months may have overcorrected, and the price might swing back up modestly.

January 9, 2019 -WalletHub interviewed UW Professor Emeritus Sherrill Shaffer for an article detailing why unsecured credit cards for people with bad credit are expensive. WalletHub is a website resource to help consumers make good financial decisions.

December 28, 2018 -UW economist Rob Godby is quoted in a Los Angeles Times article about how PacifiCorp, controlled by Warren Buffett, wants to charge some California consumers for upgrades to coal plants in Wyoming and Colorado.

December 18, 2018 - UW reports on the launch of the Center for Business and Economic Analysis.

December 5, 2018 -UW economist Rob Godby told Carbon County Economic Development members that a large wind production tax hike could hinder local production of a wind turbine farm in the area, reported The Rawlins Daily Times.

December 2, 2018 - David Aadland, interim director of the CBEA is interviewed by the CST about the impacts of Western Sugar's closing on Goshen County.

November 29, 2018 -UW Assistant Professor Linda Thunstrom’s study was cited in a Bloomberg article, titled “Does Prayer Help Disaster Victims?” Her mixed reaction findings indicate that thoughts do not affect what people do in response to disasters and tragedies, but prayers make pro-social action less likely.

November 27, 2018 -UW economist Jason Shogren told The Casper Star-Tribune that climate change will most directly affect the state’s energy industry, and state leaders must face that reality. Shogren was commenting on how the Fourth National Climate Assessment, required every four years by Congress, will affect Wyoming.November 11, 2018 -The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group predicted that Wyoming will see a large increase in revenue in the current 2019-2020 biennium, but UW economist Rob Godby cautions that the uptick could be short-lived, noted The Wyoming Tribune Eagle.

November 5, 2018 -Reliable air service from a rural community to a large hub, like Denver or Salt Lake, means much more to local businesses, UW economist Rob Godby says in a Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) article. Gillette business owners said that improved airline services would help the economy recover.

October 30, 2018 -Wyoming Public Radio interviewed UW economist Rob Godby who discussed coal mines, including Cloud Peak Energy in Wyoming, cutting back on workers’ medical benefits as a way to reduce costs.

September 10, 2018 - UW economist Rob Godby says coal producers, including those in Wyoming, are still attempting to find ways of selling their product to potential money-making markets in China, India, South Korea and Vietnam, noted High Country News. Godby also was interviewed by High Country News for an article, titled “Can coal remain the bedrock of Wyoming’s economy?”

September 14, 2018 -UW economist Chuck Mason told Wyoming Public Radio that mineral companies in Wyoming likely won’t be affected by Bank of the West’s decision to stop financing, distributing or marketing activities within coal, oil or gas unless the companies focus on clean energy.

August 27, 2018 -Maine Public Radio asked UW economist Rob Godby to comment on the Trump administration's proposal to relax regulations on carbon emissions, which is welcome news in coal-producing states such as Wyoming, even though personnel in the industry acknowledge its impact would be limited.

August 24, 2018 -Wyoming Public Radio also interviewed UW economist Rob Godby about the proposed Affordable Clean Energy rule that would give states more power to regulate carbon emissions. Minnesota Public Radio also broadcast the interview.

August 20, 2018 - Colorado Public Radio carried an Associated Press story in which UW economist Rob Godby commented on a proposed wind energy project in southern Wyoming that could provide power to more than 70,000 homes in northern Colorado.

August 13, 2018 -Carbon technology could support 2,600 jobs in Wyoming, according to a new report from American Jobs Project. The Casper Star-Tribune interviewed UW economist Rob Godby for the article.

August 5, 2018 -The Boomerang interviewed UW economist Rob Godby for an article delving into factors leading to the economy’s growth, both for Wyoming and the U.S.

July 27, 2018 - WPR also interviewed UW economist Rob Godby who discussed Wyoming’s preparedness if a recession hits the country. He said the state is at the top of the business cycle with good growth.

July 27, 2018 - Godby also was interviewed by Bankrate.com for an article, titled “Is a state with no income tax better or worse?”

July 24, 2018 - Jason Shogren, a UW professor of economics, was interviewed by The Christian Science Monitor on proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act. At the heart of the debate is how to balance the needs of people and nature.

July 25, 2018 - Time magazine also interviewed Shogren for an article that touted the economic benefits of the Endangered Species Act. The article stated that the act generates more than $1 trillion yearly.

July 13, 2018 -UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed by Argus Coal Daily to discuss the 21 coal mines that could be at risk of closing in coming decades because the coal-fired power plants they supply will be retired.

July 9, 2018 -The Week, an online news magazine, republished a story quoting UW economist Rob Godby regarding how Wyoming wind can generate enough electricity to power California.

June 27, 2018 - Nashville Public Radio also interviewed Godby for a broadcast about wind energy. Godby said in the interview that Wyoming has the only wind generation tax in the country.

June 26, 2018 -UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed by The BBC/PRI The World about Wyoming, the nation’s leading coal producer, looking into wind energy as a source of revenue. Godby says the challenge facing Wyoming wind is climate change skepticism.

June 21, 2018 -UW economist Rob Godby commented to The Wyoming Tribune Eagle on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision approving taxes on internet sales, which many view as a win for states, such as Wyoming, and brick-and-mortar stores.

June 19, 2018 -Godby was quoted in a lengthy Desert Sun article on developer Philip Anschutz, who wants to build America’s biggest wind farm in Carbon County. The project would send the electricity to California, but politics could get in the way, according to Godby and others interviewed for the article.

June 7, 2018 -A U.S. Department of Energy memo that outlines a plan to require power companies to buy coal-fired electricity won’t have a large impact on Powder River Basin operations, UW economist Rob Godby told the Gillette News Record.

May 14, 2018 - UW economist Rob Godby told KUNC that re-imposed sanctions on Iran will mean higher oil prices; however, the sanctions could increase oil production in the Mountain West.

May 11, 2018 - Rob Godby is quoted in a Sheridan Press story about how Wyoming’s tax structure is a barrier to economic diversification.

May 2, 2018 - UW economics Professor Jay Shogren told The Cody Enterprise that politicians at every level of government are attempting to diversify local economies. He said that could be a factor in Park County’s rising assessed valuation for the fiscal year.

April 22, 2018 - UW economist Rob Godby said in Wyoming, lack of transmission lines, a one-of-a-kind wind tax and a perceived hostility to wind development have likely combined to hold back new wind ventures, according to The Casper Star-Tribune.

April 15, 2018 -UW energy economist Rob Godby was interviewed by The Gillette News Record about local oil industry officials who remain cautiously optimistic emerging from the latest downturn.

April 7, 2018 - The St. Louis Post-Dispatch interviewed UW economist Rob Godby in an article about Peabody’s recovery from bankruptcy a year later, saying the company is in better shape after shedding substantial debt that had weighed the company down.

March 24, 2018 - Rob Godby was interviewed by Outside Magazine focusing on Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s idea of supporting public lands with oil and mining leases.

March 22, 2018 - Bloomberg News interviewed UW economist Rob Godby on an article noting that environmental groups are asking a Washington, D.C., Circuit Court to force the Interior Department to study the coal leasing program’s climate-change effects.

March 6, 2018 -UW economist Anne Alexander told K2 Radio that Wyoming residents and businesses will see higher costs, from household appliances to heavy machinery, if President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs go into effect.

March 6, 2018 - Colorado Public Radio (CPR) interviewed UW economist Rob Godby, who said that a brand-new wind farm would be cheaper to run than an already-paid-for coal-fired power plant. He commented on CPR’s piece about how the state fared with an increase in coal production.

March 2, 2018 -UW economist Chuck Mason was interviewed by Wyoming Public Radio about the Legislature’s ongoing discussion about energy that centers on taxes and revenue.

March 2, 2018 - The Intercept reported that members of both U.S. congressional parties will work together this week in an attempt to roll back financial rules, which experts are contending will produce negative effects. UW Emeritus Professor Sherrill Shaffer was interviewed by the award-winning news organization that covers national security, politics, civil liberties, the environment, international affairs, technology, criminal justice and the media.

February 28, 2018 -Jackson hosted its second Saturday U program -- UW’s popular one-day lecture series -- of the academic year last week, with three UW professors lecturing on timely topics, reported The Jackson Hole News and Guide. Rob Godby was one of the three professor presenting. Pinedale Online also reported on a similar UW Saturday U program earlier in the week in Pinedale.

February 23, 2018 - National Public Radio reported that energy analysts agree the reasons for nearly 1,000 more coal jobs added nationwide last year are short-term and have nothing to do with White House policies. UW economist Rob Godby said production was up, but mines are doing more with fewer workers.

February 20, 2018 - Wyoming Public Radio interviewed UW economist Chuck Mason, who commented on proposed Wyoming legislation that would cut the severance tax rate in half for petroleum and natural gas companies for a certain period of time.

February 18, 2018 - The Tribune Eagle spoke with UW economist Rob Godby about President Donald Trump’s proposed $200 billion infrastructure plan and what it could mean for Wyoming.

February 8, 2018 - Wyoming Public Radio interviewed Godby for a story on the largest coal company in the world, Peabody Energy, which is reporting higher earnings and revenues this past year. Peabody owns two coal mines in the Powder River Basin.

February 7, 2018 -UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed by The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) about the Annual Energy Outlook report indicating that coal production nationwide will see a downturn in the next few years.

January 26, 2018 -UW economist Rob Godby spoke with The CS-T in a story noting that production at the 12 coal mines in northern Wyoming rose to 305.3 million tons in 2017, a 6.3 percent increase compared to the previous year. Godby also commented on a CS-T story on the oil field service sector, which is improving, but jobs may be slower to return. He talked with The CS-T on how long the oil recovery uptick will last.

January 25, 2018 - The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) interviewed UW energy economist Chuck Mason about rising crude oil prices. Mason said he is surprised that the market has steadily stayed at $60 a barrel the last couple of months.

January 23, 2018 - Wyoming Business Report notes that UW economist Anne Alexander will discuss Wyoming’s latest economic forecast during the Wyoming Business Report/Wyoming Business Alliance’s forum next month in Casper.

January 7, 2018 -UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed by The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) about Wyoming’s long-term economic forecast.

January 2, 2018 - Wyoming Public Media interviewed Godby about factors that have influenced Wyoming’s energy industries.

December 29, 2017 -Jonathan Naughton, director of UW’s Wind Energy Research Center, and UW economist Rob Godby were interviewed by the Christian Science Monitor for an article on how coal-rich Wyoming is investing in wind energy.

December 16, 2017 - UW economist Rob Godby said, in a CS-T interview, that he is not yet convinced that the Blackjewel mine buyout in northeast Wyoming represents a fundamental shift in Wyoming coal. Coal Zoom published the article on its website.

December 9, 2017 - The CS-T quoted UW economist Rob Godby in a story about how hopes for an energy industry comeback are chilling efforts to reform Wyoming’s tax structure.

November 29, 2017 - Power Technology noted that a major wind company supplying wind turbines for a project in Carbon County is offering to train unemployed coal miners as wind farm technicians. In an interview, UW economist Rob Godby said the company’s offer could be a catalyst for a shift in thinking about the potential economic benefits of wind projects.

November 29, 2017 - Charles Mason was a co-author of a study that found two large New England energy companies reserved large volumes of natural gas pipeline capacity every day during important times of the year, then canceled the sales at the last minute, in a price-fixing scheme, reported Vermont’s Brattleboro Reformer.

November 28, 2017 - The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) reported that the price of crude oil in Wyoming hit the $60 a barrel mark last week. Chuck Mason, an oil and gas economist at UW’s Center for Energy Economics and Public Policy, said in an interview that he did not expect continued escalation of prices for the state.

November 20, 2017 - The CS-T interviewed UW economist Rob Godby in an article about Wyoming legislators considering how to regulate Wyoming’s wind, which is in demand. As the industry changes, so should the regulations that govern it, lawmakers say.

November 11, 2017 - The AP published a CS-T article noting that the U.S. military is expected to spend nearly $5 billion over the next 10-20 years in Cheyenne to modernize F.E. Warren Air Force Base’s intercontinental ballistic missiles system. UW economist Anne Alexander was quoted in the article.

November 8, 2017 - The Associated Press (AP) picked up a story in which Gov. Matt Mead said the state’s “economic storm” has passed, but UW economist Rob Godby said energy production in the state is now at a “new normal” and “more likely at a slow decline.” U.S. News and World Report also published the story.

November 4, 2017 - Sheridan Media noted that a panel, which featured UW economist Rob Godby, said that if Wyoming is going to diversify economically, the state needs to diversify the sources of its revenues.

November 5, 2017 - The CS-T quoted Godby in a story noting that building new winds farm is getting cheaper, according to an annual study that documents the cost of new power generation.

October 30, 2017 - UW economist Rob Godby is featured prominently in a documentary by the Center for Investigative Reporting about energy and wind in Wyoming.

October 29, 2017 - UW economist Anne Alexander will moderate this week’s Southeast Economic Forecast Luncheon in Cheyenne, the Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported.

October 26, 2017 - The Garden City Telegram noted that Sasha Skiba, a UW associate professor of economics, was the keynote speaker at the recent Kansas Economic Policy Conference.

October 25, 2017 - Professor Sherrill Shaffer, the Guthrie Distinguished Professor of Banking and Financial Services in the UW College of Business’s Department of Economics, was featured in a WalletHub piece about secured credit cards.

October 22, 2017 - The Wyoming Tribune Eagle interviewed UW economist Rob Godby about Great Lakes Aviation cutting back on its flights to other communities. Godby said passengers want to fly more comfortable, faster and larger planes than what Great Lakes operates.

October 16, 2017 - CS-T interviewed Godby about a proposed Trump administration proposal that would help subsidize the ailing coal and energy industry.

October 11, 2017 - ABC News mentioned UW economist Rob Godby in a story about the rollback of the Obama-era Clean Power Plan, which officials say is a boon to the coal industry and a win for supporters of President Trump, while environmental advocacy groups say the move is a step backward.

October 10, 2017 - UW economist Rob Godby is quoted in a Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) story about the impact of the unraveling of the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan on Wyoming’s coal industry. Godby also was quoted in a High Country News story about the future of the state’s coal industry.

October 6, 2017 - Inside Energy interviewed UW economist Rob Godby about Wyoming and Japanese officials meeting in Gillette to sign a memorandum of understanding about a partnership that would find a way to export Wyoming coal to Japan and work on carbon capture technologies to clean up coal-burning power plants.

October 4, 2017 - Kansas Ag Connection noted that Alexandre Skiba, an associate professor in the UW Department of Economics, will speak later this month at the annual Kansas Economic Policy Conference at the University of Kansas.

September 28, 2017 - UW economist Rob Godby told The Baltimore Sun that coal production has declined each year since 2012, but has increased slightly to begin the new year.

September 18, 2017 - High Country News interviewed UW economist Rob Godby in an article about alternative energy developments in the state. Godby said an increase in the state wind tax could discourage future development, including tech companies looking for clean-energy sources when considering new locations.

September 10, 2017 - The Wall Street Journal interviewed UW economics Assistant Professor Linda Thunstrom about a research paper her team wrote about apps designed to deter overspending. Their research indicated that apps designed to curb spending make tightwads even tighter, but have no effect on others.

September 10, 2017 - UW economist Rob Godby said the advantage of being a smaller utility company and selling to regulated utilities is that they have 20 years of a fixed price. He was commenting in a Casper Star-Tribune story published in The Billings Gazette about Rocky Mountain Power hoping to build a wind farm in Wyoming.

August 29, 2017 - The massive flooding in Houston, Texas, will have an impact on gas prices, but is not likely to spread as far as Wyoming, UW economist Rob Godby told The Casper Star-Tribune. He said price hikes will hit mainly the Southeast.

August 18, 2017 - Bloomberg also interviewed Godby on the number of coal jobs lost to other energy positions saying, “if there was a War on Coal, it was really declared by natural gas.” Oil and Gas News picked up the story.

August 17, 2017 - UW economist Rob Godby weighed in on West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice’s proposal that calls for the federal government to subsidize coal-fired power plants that buy from Appalachian mines, which would leave Wyoming’s producers facing more competition in a tight market. The story appeared in The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

August 7, 2017 - UW Department of Economics and Finance economist Alexandre Skiba discussed with The Torrington Telegram what the effects of an increase in tariffs on some U.S. beef products by Japan will have on local producers.

August 3, 2017 - CBS News quoted UW energy economist Chuck Mason about the Keystone XL pipeline, which faces major hurdles because of the current price climate. Mason said, unless there is a massive improvement in technology for processing Canadian crude oil, the pipeline may not be built. The Sacramento Bee and The Minneapolis Star Tribune also published similar articles.

July 26, 2017 - The Weather Channel website published a story about Wyoming’s fledgling wind industry. UW economics Professor Rob Godby says developers may be leery of developing wind energy in the state because legislators want to push for higher taxes on the industry.

July 23, 2017 - Business Insider interviewed Godby about the different points of view of whether the wind energy sector in Wyoming should be taxed.

July 21, 2017 - Godby was quoted in a Vice News article about the U.S. selling millions of barrels of oil to China. The country is reducing its reliance on the world’s oil-exporting leaders, Saudi Arabia and Russia.

July 17, 2017 - The San Francisco Chronicle, Idaho Falls’ Post Register and LegalNews.com were among media outlets that printed a Casper Star-Tribune story about wind energy development proposals in Wyoming and the need for workers to build, maintain and repair wind farms. UW economist Rob Godby said the market and wind companies will likely solve the worker shortage. A similar article was published by Malaysian Digest.

July 13, 2017 - The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported that Godby told attendees at the recent Wind Operation and Maintenance Conference in Rawlins that most of the growth in renewable energy sources is occurring with wind because the economic incentives are becoming more appealing. Inside Energy also covered the Rawlins seminar. The Casper Star-Tribune reported on a second seminar in Casper. A third seminar was held in Gillette.

July 10, 2017 -The Jackson Hole News and Guide printed an Associated Press story in which UW economist Rob Godby commented on oil production and exploration in Wyoming. The Casper Star-Tribune also printed the story.

July 10, 2017 - NexusMedia interviewed Godby about wind energy opportunities in Wyoming. RenewEconomy and The Huffington Post also printed the article.

July 5, 2017 - UW economist Anne Alexander commented in a Bloomberg story on five states, including Wyoming, that have yet to recover from the latest recession. Alexander said the state’s tourism industry has bounced back, but the state’s energy sector has slumped since 2014. The Salt Lake Tribune also published the article.

June 30, 2017 - UW School of Energy Resources Executive Director Mark Northam and UW economist Rob Godby commented with Inside Energy about a proposed coal mine in Sheridan County that would not be for electricity but would be for coal-based products. Wyoming Public Radio also picked up the story.

June 27, 2017 - Oil and Gas Investor reported that UW economist Chuck Mason told attendees at the recent Energy Exposition in Loveland, Colo., that China’s economic slump and the steady, downward trend in the price of natural gas are factors leading to a decrease in demand for coal. E&P, an energy website, also printed the story.

June 27, 2017 - The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) interviewed UW economist Rob Godby about Wyoming New Energy Corp.’s plan to build a plant that would make Wyoming coal burn hotter. Mining Connections published a similar article.

June 22, 2017 - Chuck Mason will present a keynote speech on recent developments in key energy markets at the 2017 Energy Exposition in Loveland, Colorado. For more information or to register for the Expo visit their webpage here.

June 19, 2017 - UW economist Rob Godby was a guest on WHRV’s “ HearSay with Cathy Lewis,” a public affairs radio call-in program. Godby and other guests discussed how the Paris climate agreement is affecting the coal industry.

June 12, 2017 - Godby told The Omaha World-Herald that the explosion of oil and natural gas extraction using hydraulic fracturing is what opened the door for natural gas to take over coal as the most common fuel for electric generation.

June 7, 2017 - Public Radio International interviewed UW economist Rob Godby for a story focused on the growing number of solar energy-related jobs being created nationwide, more than doubling those in the coal mining industry.

June 6, 2017 - UW oil and gas economist Chuck Mason was interviewed by Bloomberg for a story on the uptick of energy production in Campbell and Converse counties, which is attracting more nationally known companies to Wyoming because of cheaper drilling rights. World Oil also reprinted the article on its website.

June 3, 2017 - ABC News interviewed UW economist Rob Godby about President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. Godby said the withdrawal from the agreement should not come as a surprise in light of Trump's previous promises of putting "America first." In an interview with National Public Radio, Godby said the withdrawal announcement probably does not mean much regarding energy production in the United States.

June 3, 2017 - UW economist Chuck Mason said the odds of oil and gas production increasing in Wyoming may pick up only if increased costs drive industry production from the more productive Permian Basin in Texas, according to a Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) article.

May 27, 2017 - UW economist Rob Godby, in a CS-T interview, said large, coal-fired power plants across the nation are slowly being shut down because they are too expensive to run. Godby also commented in another CS-T article about a new test center that will capture carbon dioxide from a coal-fired power plant and find new ways to use the gas.

May 21, 2017 - The New York Times interviewed Rob Godby about a company that plans to hire out-of-work Wyoming coal miners and train them as wind turbine technicians. The company plans to supply 850 turbines to a wind farm in Carbon County, creating nearly 200 new jobs.

May 20, 2017 - The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported that UW economist Rob Godby said lower coal production in the state is “the new normal.” His comments were made during the Wyoming Business Report’s Energy Summit in Cheyenne last week.

May 20, 2017 - Wyoming oil and gas companies are patiently waiting to see how the Trump administration responds to easing regulations imposed by the Obama administration, according to The CS-T. UW economist Chuck Mason was interviewed for the story.

May 18, 2017 - In a lengthy ABC News feature about coal’s future in Gillette during the Trump administration, UW economist Rob Godby says some of the president’s changes or reversals of orders help coal, but others help natural gas. He said it’s unclear how that will balance out in the market, whether it will give the advantage to gas or coal.

May 8, 2017 - Rob Godby is quoted in a National Public Radio story examining the possibility of laid-off coal miners being employed in the solar energy industry.

May 8, 2017 - UW experts Jonathan Naughton and Rob Godby are quoted in a Casper Star-Tribune article examining the Western power grid.

April 16, 2017 - The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) interviewed, among others, UW economist Chuck Mason about a leaked draft of a new priority list from the Bureau of Land Management that lists energy development prominently among the agency’s initiatives.

March 29, 2017 - Jason Shogren was a guest speaker at the Spring Runoff Conference hosted by the University of Utah. The abstract can be found here. A video of the presentation can be found here.

March 27, 2017 - Even with President Trump in office, the West is moving away from coal, and UW economist Rob Godby said, in a Las Vegas Sun article, that the economics of power generation do not support replacing coal-fired generation.

March 24, 2017 - Rob Godby was interviewed by The Casper Star-Tribune on how Wyoming’s economy is still not rebounding because of low oil prices.

February 9, 2017 - CNBC interviewed UW economics Professor Rob Godby, who compared data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), which estimates that coal production back east will fall the next two years. Godby said that bodes well for Wyoming producers, as the EIA projects coal output in the Rocky Mountain region will increase the next two years and could create 600 new jobs. Yahoo! Finance and MSN also reprinted the article. Read More

January 22, 2017 - (Casper Star Tribune) - Rob Godby was interviewed by The Casper Star-Tribune (The CS-T) in an article about increased utility rates in Wyoming. Read More

January 20, 2017 - (CNBC) CNBC interviewed UW economist Rob Godby in an article about U.S. electric power plants emitting less carbon dioxide than the nation’s transportation sector for the first time since the late 1970s. Read More

January 17, 2017 - (The Washington Post) - The Washington Post reprinted an Associated Press story that interviewed several experts, including UW economics Professor Jay Shogren, who commented on the Endangered Species Act. With Republicans the majority in the House and Senate, changes in the act are expected, the interviewees said. The Minneapolis Star Tribune also carried the article.

September 2015

The University of Wyoming Department of Economics and Finance continues to be ranked among the world’s top programs in environmental economics, according to IDEAS, a prestigious worldwide organization that disseminates economics research. IDEAS is a service hosted by the Research Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

In its “Top 10% Institutions and Economists in the Field of Environmental Economics,” Research Papers in Economics ranked the UW Department of Economics and Finance 11th. The list includes all academic and non-academic research institutions globally. Among universities only, UW is ranked sixth in the world.

October 2010

The National Research Council (NRC) ranks the University of Wyoming's Department of Economics and Finance in the College of Business as the nation's leader in faculty research output and eighth overall in research productivity. The review ranked all 120 United States economics Ph.D. programs.

Contact Us

Department of Economics

College of Business Department 3985

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: 307-766-3124

Fax: 307-766-4028

Email: economics@uwyo.edu