Proposed plant to make gasoline from Wyoming coal gains governor’s support

Plans progress for Wyoming coal-to-gasoline plant

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal is supporting a Texas company’s proposal to build a major plant for turning coal into gasoline.

The U.S. Department of Energy is weighing an application from DKRW Advanced Fuels LLC of Houston for a loan to help build the proposed $2.7 billion coal-to-gasoline plant near Medicine Bow.

DKRW chairman Bob Kelly of Houston says it would be the first major plant to produce gasoline or diesel from coal in the United States.

The public has until Monday to comment on what issues the DOE should address in an environmental study.

Freudenthal wrote to the department this week supporting the project.

The Sierra Club in Wyoming has expressed concern the plant will cause air pollution and disrupt sage grouse.