Company considering Wyo. for coal-to-synthetic-gas project

GILLETTE - An Ohio company experimenting with a process that converts coal to synthetic gas is considering large-scale production sites in northeast Wyoming.

Albert Calderon, president of Calderon Energy, said he hopes the company will be able to produce 100,000 barrels of synthetic gas per year and ship it from Wyoming via pipeline.

He told attendees at the Wyoming Mining Association's annual meeting Friday in Sheridan that it just makes sense to go where the coal is.

"Today, whomever has the resource is king - and you have the resource," Calderon said.

The company is testing its process at a plant in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Mines honored for safety records

Several Wyoming mines were recognized Friday for outstanding safety records, reclamation work and contributions to local communities. They were honored at the Wyoming Mining Association's 52nd annual convention.

Powder River Basin Coal Co.'s North Antelope Rochelle mine recorded more than 1.7 million man-hours without a lost-time accident in 2006.

Rio Tinto Energy America's Antelope mine recorded more 914,035 man-hours without a lost time accident.

Foundation Coal West's Belle Ayr mine recorded 593,299 man-hours without a lost time accident.

Powder River Basin Coal Co.'s Caballo mine earned the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality's "Good Neighbor" award for assisting its surface leasee with ranching operations.

Several other mines and mine service companies were honored for drafting "Safety Ideas" for the industry.

MERNA - A wildfire in the Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest had grown to 600 acres - the equivalent of about 1 square mile - by midday Friday.

"Right now, it is hot," said Big Piney Ranger District ranger Greg Clark. "But we don't have any wind, and that is a real help for us. We are actively working on suppression on the southwest and southeast flanks of the fire."

The Horse Creek fire started Thursday afternoon about 8 miles west of Merna. Investigators don't yet know the cause of the fire.

About 60 firefighters were working to contain the fire. No homes or other structures were threatened as of midday Friday.

CHEYENNE - Col. Michael J. Morgan, formerly vice commander of the 90th Space Wing, assumed command of the unit during a ceremony Thursday at F.E. Warren Air Force Base.

"Sir, before you is the best wing in the ballistic missile squadron," said Col. Michael J. Carey as he turned over command of the unit to Morgan. "I would argue, the best wing in the U.S. Air Force. I'm humbled and honored to be your commander. Thank you very much for the last two years."

Morgan said he would work hard to make sure the 90th fulfills its three most important missions: protecting the United States through nuclear deterrence, deploying airmen in the global war on terror and making F.E. Warren the base of choice within the command.

"I could not be more proud of the 90th Space Wing," Morgan said.