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The Center for Energy Regulation & Policy Analysis (CERPA) is one of the Centers of Excellence sponsored by the School of Energy Resources (SER) at the University of Wyoming. Drawing upon interdisciplinary energy law, policy, technology and economic experts on and off campus, CERPA conducts world-class analyses with the goal of developing effective and pragmatic energy policies to benefit the State of Wyoming, the intermountain west region and the United States.

CERPA was founded in 2020 to respond to the energy challenges and opportunities facing the State of Wyoming. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Wyoming – which has the smallest population of any state and whose economy is energy-dependent -- produces 15 times more energy than it consumes, with the result that it is the largest net energy supplier among the states.[1]

Wyoming is a leading producer and supplier of many forms of energy

According to EIA[2] and the Wyoming Mining Association[3]:

• Fossil Energy. Wyoming is the largest coal-producing states, produces more natural gas from federal leases than any other state, and produces the second-most amount of crude oil from federal onshore leases.
• Renewable Energy. Wyoming has some of the largest wind resources in the nation. In 2019, the state ranked 17^th in the nation in wind generating capacity. Several additional wind projects are under development. The state also possesses solar, geothermal and hydropower resources.
• Nuclear Energy. Wyoming is America’s leader in uranium production with an estimated 2 million pounds produced in 2016.

Researchers at SER also are advancing a robust program related to identifying and charactering critical minerals and Rare Earth Elements, which are utilized in many civil (including renewable energy) and military systems.[4]

As a major producer of energy exporter, Wyoming’s economy is influenced by a multitude of international, national, regional and state energy policies that create both opportunities and challenges for Wyoming policymakers and businesses. CERPA assesses those opportunities and challenges with the ultimate goal of benefiting the State of Wyoming and its citizens.

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[1] Source: https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=WY (accessed September 2, 2020).

[2] Source: https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=WY (accessed September 2, 2020).

[3] Source: https://www.wyomingmining.org/minerals/uranium/#:~:text=Uranium%20Facts-,Wyoming%20is%20America's%20leader%20in%20uranium%20production%20with%20an%20estimated,from%20uranium%20in%20nuclear%20reactors. (accessed September 2, 2020).

[4] Source: https://www.uwyo.edu/ser/research/past-research-programs/rare-earth-elements.html (accessed September 2, 2020).