Recorded March 16, 2026
In this episode of the PetroNerds Podcast, Trisha Curtis, CEO of PetroNerds, speaks with Tyler Lindholm, former Wyoming state representative and current Wyoming State Director for Americans for Prosperity. They break down why Wyoming holds a major advantage in affordable, reliable energy and why the state needs to shift from defense to offense. They discuss why Wyoming sits in a uniquely strong position in U.S. energy, especially as oil markets tighten, electricity demand rises, and policymakers push permitting reform back to the center of the national conversation. The conversation covers Wyoming oil production, natural gas, coal, utility control, rare earth minerals, education funding, and the policy contrast between Wyoming and Colorado. Tyler explains why Wyoming has played defense for too long and why the state now needs to lead with confidence on energy, infrastructure, and investment. A major focus of the episode is coal-fired power generation, including the potential for a new Dry Fork coal plant near Gillette. Trisha and Tyler also explore why reliable low-cost electricity matters for industry, manufacturing, data centers, AI, and national security.
In This Episode
- Wyoming’s current oil and gas position
- High oil prices create an opening for Wyoming producers
- Federal land access, bonding pools, and BLM barriers
- Why permitting reform matters across energy and infrastructure
- Wyoming’s coalbed methane boom
- Why coal still matters for reliability and affordability
- The potential new Dry Fork coal-fired power plant
- How out-of-state utilities influence Wyoming power policy
- Third-party generation, data centers, and industrial growth
- Rare earth minerals, refining, and national security
- Why Wyoming should compete more aggressively with Colorado
Key Takeaways
Wyoming has the resources, location, and power cost advantage to become a bigger energy and industrial leader.
Permitting reform is not a niche policy issue. It affects oil, gas, coal, transmission, broadband, mining, and every major infrastructure built in the West.
Coal remains a strategic asset for grid reliability, industrial growth, and national security.
Wyoming’s ability to shape its own energy future remains limited when out-of-state utilities control major generation decisions.
Rare earth development and domestic processing deserve much more urgency.
Guest
Tyler Lindholm is a former Wyoming state representative, fifth-generation rancher, military veteran, and current Wyoming State Director for Americans for Prosperity.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
