Irina Zhorov

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

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. Wyoming Public Radio’s Irina Zhorov has been looking into why the audits are less than ideal and the status of the Tribe’s future financial solvency.

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

Irina Zhorov — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:23:20 +0000

The Northern Arapaho Tribe opened the doors to its full-scale casino in 2005. Wyoming Public Radio’s Irina Zhorov reports that eight years into the venture, the casino is making money but some wonder where it’s going.

IRINA ZHOROV: The Wind River Casino has been open for almost a decade but it’s still a novelty to walk into; whirring slot machines, dimmed lights, card tables, all on the edge of Riverton on a piece of prairie.

[sound of machines]

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.

Fracking chemical disclosure decision appealed to WY Supreme Court

Irina Zhorov — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:32:10 +0000

Public interest groups that lost a suit about disclosing fracking chemicals are appealing that decision to the Wyoming Supreme Court. Groups like Earthjustice and the Powder River Basin Resource Council argue that the separate chemicals used in the fracking process should be public information under the Wyoming Public Records Act. A Wyoming District court Judge sided in March with the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission as well as industry when it ruled that not disclosing chemical identities when they are deemed a trade secret is permissible.

EPA hesitates to allow waste water disposal in Madison Aquifer

Irina Zhorov — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:56:55 +0000

The Environmental Protection Agency is asking for more information from Encana before it okays an aquifer exemption allowing the company to pump waste water into the Madison aquifer near Casper.

Oil and gas operators flaring more gas, paying no taxes or royalties

Irina Zhorov — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 23:14:31 +0000

Oil development in the state is bringing up natural gas along with the oil, but some of the gas is getting burned off in flares and the state is missing out on taxes and royalty payments. The reason the gas is getting flared is that there are not enough pipelines in place to connect new wells to markets.

The President of the Wyoming Petroleum Association, Bruce Hinchey, says it doesn’t always make sense to build new pipelines for the relatively small quantities of gas coming up.

March 29th, 2013

Bob Beck, Irina Zhorov, Rebecca Huntington, Rebecca Martinez and Willow Belden — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 22:24:32 +0000

Flared natural gas is a loss to the state in taxes and royalties

Flared natural gas is a loss to the state in taxes and royalties

Irina Zhorov — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 22:14:39 +0000

We recently reported that the federal government – and consequently Wyoming – might be getting shortchanged when it comes to royalty payments on coal going overseas. Turns out, the government is missing out on royalties in other ways, too. Wyoming Public Radio’s Irina Zhorov reports that right here in Wyoming, companies are quite literally burning up both federal and state royalty money when they flare natural gas.

Two Wyoming mines recognized for reclamation efforts

Irina Zhorov — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 23:15:32 +0000

The Interstate Mining Compact Commission is recognizing two Wyoming mines for their reclamation efforts. The IMCC represents environmental protection interests and awards one non-coal and one coal project each year. The M-I SWACO Bentonite Mine in Big Horn County won the non-coal award and the Bridger Coal Mine received honorable mention in the coal category.

Department of Environmental Quality spokesman, Keith Guille, says the IMCC only gives two awards each year and it’s significant that Wyoming was recognized for both.

Wind River jail releasing minor offenders due to construction

Irina Zhorov — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:18:10 +0000

The jail on the Wind River Indian Reservation is being renovated, and while it’s under construction people brought in for minor offenses are let go with a notice to appear in court instead of being held like they normally would be. Minor offenses are mostly alcohol related, like public intoxication, simple assault, trespassing, and disturbing the peace.

Chief Judge of the Shoshone and Arapaho Tribal Court, John St. Clair, says only about 10% of people who are issued a notice to appear actually appear.

March 15th, 2013

Bob Beck, Irina Zhorov, Rebecca Martinez and Willow Belden — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 21:54:43 +0000

DEQ releases ozone strategy for Sublette County
The Department of Environmental Quality has released a plan for tackling the ozone problem in Sublette County. Emissions from the energy industry there have combined to form a type of pollution called ozone, which can be a health hazard. Ozone levels have been so high that they violate federal standards, and the Environmental Protection Agency has given Wyoming three years to fix the problem.