CHEYENNE - Several Wyoming ranchers will soon benefit from a new solar- and wind-powered stock water pump the state government is helping deploy across the state.

Gov. Dave Freudenthal and about 20 other people met outside the State Capitol on Thursday for a demonstration of the pumps' effectiveness.

Developed by the University of Wyoming Electric Motor Training and Testing Center, the relatively new technology can help ranchers who typically rely on surface water for their livestock.

Southeast Wyoming ranchers Mark Morel and Charlie Stith had plenty of positive words to say about the pumps, which each of them has used.

"It really did help us spread our cattle out and better use our rangeland, and the wildlife have really benefitted from it as well," Morel said.

Stith said the pump has made a big difference in his ranching operation.

"This is how my cows drink all winter," he said. "Before that, I was chopping ice."

Livestock are not the only beneficiaries of the water pumps. The water provided for the cattle will also be enjoyed by wildlife, Freudenthal said.

The new pumps access underground water supplies in remote areas of ranches. As livestock rarely venture far from water sources, more watering locations can mean an improved utilization of the range.

"With Wyoming's ongoing drought, surface water is not as readily available as we might like," Freudenthal said. "My hope is that this new technology can help ranchers water their livestock using the means and areas that make the most sense for their operations."

The project is funded through the state's petroleum violation fund, administered by the Wyoming Business Council.

The fund aims to publicize uses of renewable energy and promote conservation. The solar- and wind-powered pumps help accomplished that goal because ranchers often use smaller, less efficient diesel engines to pump water for their livestock.

During the pilot stage of the project, state officials hope to deploy two to four pumps in each of the state's 23 counties, Freudenthal said.

Ranchers may apply to receive pumps by providing basic information on their operations to a committee formed by conservation districts, rural electric cooperatives, the UW Cooperative Extension, and rural ranching organizations, in consultation with the state Department of Agriculture.

The pilot project is being launched to give ranchers a chance to see what is relatively new technology in action, said state Department of Agriculture Director John Etchepare.

"In all of the years I was in ranching, having reliable water sources was a No. 1 priority," Etchepare said. "We were almost totally dependent on our windmills for our livestock and wildlife water. Let me assure you that the wind does not always blow in Wyoming. This new technology comes highly recommended and looks to be a very valuable resource for Wyoming's farmers and ranchers."

Sadrul Ula, energy advisor in Freudenthal's office, said people are sometimes reluctant to use new technology, but the pilot project might help ranchers across the state warm to the devices.

As the program progresses, the goal is - with support from groups such as the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts - to generate matching funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, private resources and other conservation programs to help provide pumps to all ranchers who qualify.

Ranchers receiving pilot pumps will be asked to provide such services as concrete pads for the pumps or fencing the systems. They will also be expected to allow public access to the solar- or wind-powered stock water pumps for demonstrations.

Capital bureau reporter Bill Luckett can be reached at (307) 632-1244 or at bill.luckett@casperstartribune.net.