UW’s CERPA Releases White Paper on Rock Springs RMP

The Center for Energy Regulation and Policy Analysis (CERPA) at the University of Wyoming’s School of Energy Resources (SER) has published a new white paper examining the potential effects of the Bureau of Land Management’s Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (RMP) on state revenues generated from energy development in Wyoming.

The paper offers significant insights into the economic, legal, regulatory and historical dimensions of the Rock Springs RMP. Kara Fornstrom, president of f3 Energy LLC; Dawson Kluesner, assistant research professional at CERPA; Bryan Leonard, associate professor and SER chair of environment and natural resources; and Esther Wagner, CERPA senior research professional, are authors of the paper.

The Rock Springs RMP has been a subject of considerable debate in Wyoming. In 2024, a task force was formed to gather recommendations from stakeholders and the public, leading to a finalized version in December 2024. Subsequently, under the new federal administration, a bill has been proposed that would replace the current RMP with a revised plan prioritizing energy development.

“There is a lot up in the air regarding regulations being pulled back and reevaluated at the federal level,” says CERPA Director Matt Fry. “The Rock Springs RMP has been a major discussion for over a decade, and it will be interesting to see if what is ultimately adopted is favorable to Wyoming.”

The white paper provides a historical overview of the Rock Springs RMP; outlines key energy-related issues within the draft RMP; and compares these issues to those in the approved RMP. It further includes an analysis of the RMP’s projected energy-related economic impacts and the implications for state and local tax revenue.

Additionally, the paper discusses the analysis concerning established industries, such as oil and natural gas production, alongside emerging sectors that include carbon storage and CO₂ pipeline development.

“We hope that this paper will serve as a valuable resource for those involved in the decision-making process,” Fry says. “Wyoming constituents from various interest groups invested significant time in providing input, and we want to ensure that any federal actions align with the best interests of Wyoming.”

The complete white paper and an accompanying research brief are available for download on the CERPA website. Additional resources can be found on the Rock Springs RMP Task Force website and an SER Distinguished Speaker Series presentation about the task force by Temple Stoellinger, a task force member and associate dean in UW’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources.

About the Center for Energy Regulation and Policy Analysis

The CERPA in UW’s SER is dedicated to producing meaningful, high quality, impartial analysis to inform policymakers and stakeholders about issues critical to the economic development of Wyoming’s energy resources.

Through collaboration with other SER Centers of Excellence, CERPA addresses emerging policy and regulatory issues by fostering the exchange of information and engages with stakeholders to inform various audiences about the importance of Wyoming’s energy resources.