COAL

• Large Reserves: While Wyoming ranks third in total coal reserves behind Montana and Illinois, it ranks second in surface reserves.
• Few legislative constraints to production: Wyoming coal production in 2006 exceeded 400 million short-tons.
• Lowest production costs in the U.S.
• Geographical Location: Wyoming Coal is closer to the growth of power demand in the Southwest and the West when compared to other states with significant coal reserves.
• More attractive project economics: Coal by wire usually has distinct economics advantages over coal by rail with generation located nearer the demand centers.

Wind

• Higher Capacity Factors: Typically, Wyoming's wind capacity factor is eight (8) to ten (10) points higher than that of surrounding states (42% to 45% is common).
• Geographical Diversity: Integrating wind power into the grid presents obvious challenges. Even though incremental wind generation can be developed in the power purchaser's state, geographical diversity of wind sites can mitigate the intermittence of wind.
• Attractive State Initiatives: Tax credits, income taxes, project financing and local incentives vary from state-to-state. (Wyoming has no state income tax)
• Geographical Location: One merely needs to look at the ranking of states as to their wind potential. While Wyoming is ranked 7th nationally, if you look from a "western" perspective with distances and environmental issues in mind, Wyoming emerges as #1 with New Mexico and Colorado tied for the #2 spot. While it is impossible to quantify the degree to which new wind generation in those states is and will continue to be hampered due to population and the aesthetics issues, such issues along with the benefits noted above merely propel Wyoming to the unquestionable position of being the "Gateway to the West" when it comes to renewable energy for the Southwest and the West.