Jackson's Wyoming visit includes look at Jonah gas field

May 27, 2009
US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson completed a 2-day tour of Wyoming on May 21 that included a stop at the state's largest developed unconventional natural gas field.

Nick Snow
OGJ Washington Editor

WASHINGTON, DC, May 27 -- US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson completed a 2-day tour of Wyoming on May 21 that included a stop at the state's largest developed unconventional natural gas field.

The federal official also toured a wind farm near Cheyenne and a coal mine near Gillette and flew over a number of coalbed methane developments. Wyoming is currently the nation's largest net exporter of energy, the EPA noted.

Jackson visited Wyoming at the invitation of Gov. Dave Freudenthal (D). "I appreciate her willingness to take the time to visit our state and see on the ground how coal, natural gas, and wind power are produced here," he said as the visit concluded.

"This was an important opportunity for us to discuss issues including carbon sequestration, the management of water produced in coalbed methane development, and the technologies used to recover natural gas in unconventional fields in Wyoming," Freudenthal added.

Jackson stopped at the Jonah field, which contains an estimated 10.5 tcf of tight sand gas, on the second day of her visit. "Wyoming is a place where economic possibilities, environmental and human health concerns, and the pursuit of energy independence all come together. As a home of wind, coal, and natural gas, Wyoming is at the heart of America's energy future," she said before returning to Washington.

Contact Nick Snow at [email protected].