CASPER, Wyo. — On Thursday, the Wyoming Energy Authority and nonprofit economic development entity Cheyenne LEADS announced the release of a roadmap for Wyoming to lead the region in the low-carbon hydrogen economy.
The five-year Roadmap to Build a Hydrogen Economy describes specific roles and responsibilities for stakeholders from 2022 to 2026 to deliver the vision while addressing challenges.
Together, they want to develop infrastructure to transport and store hydrogen and manage carbon, end use options and evolving markets, resources for strong, decarbonized production, policy for advancing hydrogen as an energy source and workforce and community infrastructure.
Challenges relate to evolving regulations, infrastructure and investment in infrastructure, supply chain, return on investment and water, the plan said.
“This roadmap is a critical initiative for Wyoming because of hydrogen’s inclusive qualities that can benefit multiple segments of the energy economy,” Energy Authority Executive Director Glen Murrell said in the release. “Hydrogen’s role as a decarbonized energy carrier with unprecedented transportation and consumption utility makes this a truly transformational opportunity for the entire state.”
Since hydrogen can be produced from sources including coal, natural gas, wind and nuclear power, it might help sustain Wyoming’s natural reserves, the release said. Wyoming can use its existing infrastructure, such as its natural gas transmission system, to convert and transport hydrogen, the release said. Adding hydrogen to existing raw low-value energy sources could bolster Wyoming’s value chain and provide processing opportunities within the state, it said.
“The development of the Hydrogen Road map will guide the efforts of economic developers throughout the state of Wyoming for generations to come,” Cheyenne LEADS CEO Betsey Hale said. “Hydrogen will help Wyoming sustain our legacy energy economy and build on future innovations in the sector.”
Wyoming legislators created the Wyoming Energy Authority in 2020 by merging the Wyoming Infrastructure Authority and the Wyoming Pipeline Authority. The Wyoming Energy Authority propels the state’s energy strategy through data, technology and infrastructure investments with both legacy and newer industry opportunities.
