April 26, 2018

Learn about what’s happening with solar power in Wyoming at a community conversation sponsored by Powder River Basin Resource Council (Powder River) and Wyoming Outdoor Council (Outdoor Council).  “The Future of Solar in Wyoming” will be held Wednesday, May 16th from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm at the Altitude Chophouse (back room), 320 South Second Street.

The event will feature a variety of information about the status of “rooftop” solar in Wyoming, including presentations from solar users and a panel discussion about the barriers and opportunities for solar growth in Wyoming—involving both local officials and solar installers. The Outdoor Council will pour the first beer, and Powder River will provide appetizers. The event is free and open to the public.

“With solar power installations growing in Wyoming, we need to think about what our state policies are, and where they need to be,” said Powder River member Sarah Gorin. “It’s time to plan for growth. Solar power provides jobs and other benefits for our communities, and our state policies should promote those outcomes.”

The Future of Solar in Wyoming is part of Powder River’s RENEWyoming campaign to assist people around the state who are interested in going solar. As installation costs have dropped, Wyomingites have taken full advantage of this opportunity to generate their own power. RENEWyoming tells these stories through video, print, and social media, as well as providing public information on opportunities and barriers associated with renewables in Wyoming. Visit www.powderriverbasin.org/what-we-do/renewable-energy/ for more information on RENEWyoming.

“Wyoming has the eighth best solar rays in the country, but we’re only forty-third in solar jobs per capita, said Steff Kessler, the Outdoor Council’s program director. “We could be doing so much more to help residents, small businesses, and local governments save on their electricity bills—while also growing jobs for our state. Our antiquated laws hold us back from cashing in on the national solar industry boom, which is growing nine times faster than the rest of the US economy.”

For more information on the event, contact Powder River at 307-672-5809 or hbrandow@powderriverbasin.org or the Outdoor Council at 307-332-7031 or stephanie@wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org