Irina Zhorov

Livestock numbers down in Wyoming and across the U.S.

Irina Zhorov — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:02:46 +0000

The number of cattle nationwide is at its lowest since the 1950s. Wyoming’s population is just under 1.3 million, down 5% from last year and the lowest since the early 1990s. Drought has caused many ranchers in the state to sell off cattle.

Executive Vice President of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Jim Magagna, says some older ranchers with smaller operations liquidated their herds altogether and he predicts those cattle will not be replaced for close to a decade.

Report: US government getting shortchanged by undervalued coal lease sales

Irina Zhorov — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:23:19 +0000

Tribes and Dept. of Energy sign cooperative agreement

Irina Zhorov — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:16:23 +0000

May 31st, 2013

Fri, 31 May 2013 23:09:34 +0000

Wyoming missed out on last uranium boom, but planning for the future

Wyoming Public Radio has for years reported that the state is on the verge of a uranium boom. It turns out the state missed the peak of that boom, and is now betting on slower, more conservative growth.

Wyoming missed out on last uranium boom, but planning for the future

Irina Zhorov — Fri, 31 May 2013 22:57:27 +0000

Energy Fuels to acquire smaller uranium company

Irina Zhorov — Thu, 30 May 2013 22:45:35 +0000

Energy Fuels Inc. plans to acquire Strathmore Minerals Corporation, a move that will establish Energy Fuels as one of the biggest uranium companies in the U.S. The organizations have signed a letter of intent, under which Strathmore shareholders will end up owning about 20% of Energy Fuels shares.

CEO of Strathmore, David Miller, says the companies are a good match for each other. Both organizations have Wyoming projects.

Report says coal exports may not be the solution for waning domestic market.

Irina Zhorov — Tue, 28 May 2013 13:57:19 +0000

As demand for coal has dropped domestically, producers have turned to exports abroad as a way to make up for market losses at home. 2012 was a record year for coal exports out of the US.

The demand for coal in China and other Asian markets, has raised hopes for coal producers in the Powder River Basin. They’ve helped develop plans for expanded port facilities in the Northwestern US and some coal companies, including Arch Coal, have invested money in the proposed ports.

Groups want Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to address development issues.

Irina Zhorov — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:12:40 +0000

A coalition of Wyoming groups has filed a rulemaking petition to the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to address oil and gas development in the state.

The petition focuses on three main issues: increasing the setback of drilling rigs from homes, schools and businesses, adequate enforcement in the case of accidents and spills…and reducing the practice of flaring. Powder River Basin Resource Council’s Jill Morrison says flaring has been a recognized problem for some time.

The Wind River Casino is doing well, but some tribal members expect more

Irina Zhorov — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:41:02 +0000

The Northern Arapaho Tribe opened the doors to its full-scale casino in 2005.

May 17th, 2013

Bob Beck, Irina Zhorov and Rebecca Martinez — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:40:00 +0000

Efforts to grant tribes more authority are met with resistance from non-tribal lawmakers
The extent of sovereignty for Native American tribes has long been like a tug-of-war between tribal and non-tribal governments in the United States.

Efforts to grant tribes more authority are met with resistance from non-tribal lawmakers

Irina Zhorov — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:31:57 +0000

The extent of sovereignty for Native American tribes has long been like a tug-of-war between tribal and non-tribal governments in the United States. Wyoming Public Radio’s Irina Zhorov reports that the issue of sovereignty trickles down to everything, even the issuance of traffic tickets, and lawmakers are moving nowhere fast to fix problems caused by disagreements over self-government for tribes.

New Northern Arapaho Business Council resolves to fix tribe’s poor financial management

Bob Beck and Irina Zhorov — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:27:11 +0000

The Northern Arapaho Tribe is a mess, financially. They’re behind on their audits, past audits have not been flattering, and change has been slow to come.

Proposed federal fracking rules released

Irina Zhorov — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:13:47 +0000

The U-S Department of Interior released an updated draft proposal of fracking rules for federal and tribal lands on Thursday. The rule-making process started in 2010, and the latest draft incorporates feedback from more than 177-thousand public comments submitted.

WY Oil and Gas Conservation Commission prepares to draft rules for baseline groundwater testing

Irina Zhorov — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:41:16 +0000

Wyoming may have missed the Uranium boom

Irina Zhorov — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:27:48 +0000

The uranium market is slowing after a brief boom in the years after 2005. Increasing costs for the industry and uncertainty are making operators reconsider projects.

Cameco Resources’ President Paul Goranson told the legislature’s Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Interim Committee that Cameco will now aim to increase production to about 36 million pounds of yellowcake by 2018…rather than the previously announced 40 million pounds.

State looks at regulating uranium

Irina Zhorov — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:22:37 +0000

The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality has started work on a study to determine the feasibility of regulating a larger share of uranium mining in the state.

Currently the industry is regulated by both federal and state agencies, which some operators say is burdensome, repetitive, and increases the time necessary to receive a permit. The legislature passed a bill this session commissioning the study about becoming what’s called an agreement state.

Delays with the Moneta Divide EIS frustrate supporters

Irina Zhorov — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:12:42 +0000

Encana’s Moneta Divide Natural Gas and Oil Development Project outside of Casper is still waiting for an Environmental Impact Statement, but it is slated to receive a record of decision in 2016. The proposed four thousand well development has brought up questions surrounding water management and air quality. But at the legislature’s Joint Mineral, Business, and Economic Development Interim Committee meeting yesterday, Natrona County Commissioner Rob Hendry said he wants the project to go ahead.

May 10th, 2013

Fri, 10 May 2013 23:22:02 +0000

Pollutants detected in water wells in Sublette County’s gas fields
Sublette County has been in the news a lot because of its air quality problems, which largely stem from natural gas production. But there’s another issue too: Pollutants have been showing up in water wells. Wyoming Public Radio’s Willow Belden reports.

Arts and Sciences Dean to retire after 43 years at UW

Irina Zhorov — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:25:01 +0000

Oliver Walter came to the University of Wyoming in 1970 to teach political science and became dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1989. This summer, he’ll be retiring. Wyoming Public Radio’s Irina Zhorov sat down with him talk about his tenure at UW and the future for both the school and himself. He started out talking about some changes he witnessed in his decades as dean.

UW Arts and Sciences Dean is wrapping up his career

Irina Zhorov — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:45:50 +0000

The Dean of the University of Wyoming’s College of Arts and Sciences will retire this summer, after more than 40 years at the University. Oliver Walter came to U-W in 1970 to teach political science, and became dean in 1989. He says he’s seen a lot change during his time at U-W, including growing emphasis on research, more technology on campus, and increasing diversity. But, for him, a highlight has been the growth of the study abroad program and international relationships.

Energy group says fracking water report is sensational

Irina Zhorov — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:16:01 +0000

An energy group says a recently released report overstated issues of water use by the oil and gas industry. The Western Organization of Resource Councils released the report last month and said regulators need to consider the quantity of water the energy industry uses, in addition to the quality.

Albany County to vote on property tax increases to fund new high school

Irina Zhorov — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:52:01 +0000

Voters in Albany County School District One will have the chance to vote on May 7^th about funding for a new Laramie High School. The state has already allocated nearly $63 million for the school, and the county wants to raise an additional $25 million for enhancements like a pool, tennis courts, and a theater expansion. The money would come from increased property taxes, about three additional dollars per month for every $100,000 of property.

April 26th, 2013

Bob Beck, Irina Zhorov, Rebecca Martinez, Sara Hossaini and Willow Belden — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 23:06:02 +0000

Cost of substance abuse in Wyoming is higher than expected
As it addressed issues concerning substance abuse, one thing the state never had were Wyoming specific numbers on the financial impact of substance abuse. Wyoming Public Radio’s Bob Beck reports that a recent study has found that the cost of alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse is staggering.

Report says oversight of oil and gas development is insufficient; agencies says it’s not that simple

Irina Zhorov — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 22:28:47 +0000

Oil and gas development in Wyoming has burgeoned in the last decade. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality…the Bureau of Land Management…the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission…and sometimes other agencies are all responsible for inspecting the sites. Wyoming Public Radio’s Irina Zhorov reports that some stakeholders say they’re not doing a good enough job monitoring operators. But agencies say it’s not that simple.

Wyoming tribes have 33 sanitation development projects in need of attention

Irina Zhorov — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:13:09 +0000

'Gasland 2,' a documentary about fracking issues, premiers this weekend

Irina Zhorov — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 23:40:35 +0000

‘Gasland 2’, a sequel to the 2010 documentary ‘Gasland,’ premiers this weekend in New York City. The original film focused on land owners alleging that oil and gas development on their land contaminated their water sources. The movie is thought to have brought the terms ‘fracking’ into the mainstream. The films’ director, Josh Fox, says the sequel investigates how government and regulatory agencies have dealt with what affected land owners say is contamination by industry.

April 19th, 2013

Bob Beck, Irina Zhorov, Rebecca Martinez and Willow Belden — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 22:12:49 +0000

Wyoming's Senators Help Defeat Gun Control
After weeks of intense lobbying on Capitol Hill gun control advocates suffered a stinging defeat this week…in part because of opposition from Wyoming’s two Republican senators. Matt Laslo reports from Washington.

Technical and long-term questions remain about Encana’s aquifer exemption request

Irina Zhorov — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:53:46 +0000

The Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission recently okayed an aquifer exemption that would permit Encana Oil and Gas to pump waste water from their oil and gas projects in the Moneta Divide into the Madison Aquifer, about 60 miles outside of Casper. Wyoming Public Radio’s Irina Zhorov reports that the exemption isn’t exactly a rarity, but it does bring up some big questions.

DEQ’s engine emissions study shows mixed compliance in oil and gas fields

Irina Zhorov — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:50:18 +0000

The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality has been running an Engine Emissions Study for almost two years now. For the most part, Wyoming oil and gas fields are not connected to the grid and so they end up running on engines, which emit pollutants into the air. The study set out to evaluate emissions from these generators around the state. Results from the study show that a large percentage of the engines fail the tests. Wyoming Public Radio’s Irina Zhorov spoke with the DEQ Air Quality Engineer in charge of the study, Jon Walker, about why that is.

The film ‘Gasland’ made ‘fracking’ a household word - ‘Gasland 2’ premiers this weekend

Irina Zhorov — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:43:59 +0000

‘Gasland’ is a documentary about the negative effects of natural gas drilling. The narrator in the movie is seeking answers about natural gas development in light of a growing play around his own home in the Delaware River Basin, and his inquiries take him on a road trip to communities around the U.S. that have already been drilled into and have something to say about it. When the movie came out, it made big waves, and ‘Gasland-2’ premiers this weekend. Wyoming Public Radio’s Irina Zhorov reports on what’s changed since the first movie came out in 2010.