Ruckelshaus Institute to Host Wyoming Carbon Economy Symposium Nov. 14-15

Wyoming’s carbon economy is the topic of a University of Wyoming Ruckelshaus Institute symposium Thursday-Friday, Nov. 14-15, at the UW Conference Center.

The Ruckelshaus Institute, a division of UW’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, will host the free two-day “Roads to Removal” symposium beginning with a free lunch on the first day, followed by the event’s schedule immediately at the conclusion of the Wyoming Governor’s Business Forum. The “Roads to Removal” symposium is open to community and industry leaders, ranchers, government and tribal stakeholders, and the public.

Co-sponsored by the UW School of Energy Resources, the symposium will bring together national, regional and local leaders to discuss carbon dioxide removal opportunities found in “Roads to Removal,” a first-of-its-kind report led by scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and 13 other U.S. academic institutions. The report offers specific Wyoming- and county-level analysis on such areas as soil and rangeland health, direct air capture, and carbon dioxide transportation and storage.

“Wyoming is leading conversations about how carbon removal strategies can strengthen our state’s economy,” says Melanie Armstrong, director of the Ruckelshaus Institute. “‘Roads to Removal’ provides a map for every town and county to explore what might be possible right at home. We are excited to bring this conversation to Wyoming to build our understanding of strategies and technologies that might be a good fit for our communities."

The event focuses on identifying how carbon dioxide removal technologies and solutions can be applied in Wyoming, with specific discussions on costs, impacts, and community and workforce opportunities. The symposium also will highlight the benefits and implications of carbon dioxide removal for Wyoming ranchers; the impact on soil and rangeland health; CO₂ transportation and storage; regional policy; pricing; and overall economic development.

Key speakers are Randall Luthi, policy director for Gov. Mark Gordon, and state Rep. JT Larson, of Rock Springs. Other panelists include Micah Christensen, natural resources counsel for the Wyoming County Commissioners Association; Jim Magagna, executive vice president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association; Jason Crowder, Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments interim director; and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists.

“We know many of the attendees at the Governor’s Business Forum will be interested in a deeper dive into the energy and economic opportunities that Wyoming has when it comes to carbon removal,” Armstrong says. “We hope folks from Laramie, Cheyenne and across the state will join us for lunch and these valuable discussions.”

To register, visit the symposium’s webpage here.

For more information, email Armstrong at melanie.armstrong@uwyo.edu.