CHEYENNE — A $12.9 million cost sharing award for a WE Soda project is up for public comment according to the Wyoming Business Council.
Last week, the Wyoming Energy Dominance Fund (WEDF) review committee recommended WE Soda’s Westvaco Natural Gas Upgrade Project for approval for state funding as a cost share. The 30-day public comment period started Oct. 15 and ends Nov. 16. The other two award proposals are $20 million for the Nucleon Fuel LTD Fort Union Uranium Conversion Facility and $15 million for Williams’ Flat Top Compressor Station Project.
According to WE Soda’s WEDF application document, the project will support large-scale soda ash production and future growth at WE Soda’s Westvaco facility. The project would see the company build a new high-pressure natural gas connection from the Williams MountainWest Overthrust Pipeline, as well as receiving and distribution facilities at the Westvaco facility. The system aims to provide enough natural gas to support the full natural gas operation of existing boilers and accommodate future production expansion.
WE Soda says the investment would strengthen Wyoming’s energy dominance by increasing the use of Wyoming natural gas while improving energy reliability for WE Soda. The project will also shift the company’s reliance away from “economical local coal,” which WE Soda says will be depleted by the end of 2027. The expansions coming from the project are also expected to create additional employment and economic development in Sweetwater County.
According to the Wyoming Energy Authority, the WEDF review process starts with an initial concept paper, followed by an invitation to submit a formal proposal. The proposals are then evaluated by the review committee, which includes members from the Wyoming Energy Authority, Wyoming State Geological Survey, Governor’s Office, Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, and Wyoming Business Council.
Comments about the projects can be sent to [email protected].
