Katherine Dombrowski, senior process engineer at Trimeric Corp., a company among the world’s leading experts in carbon dioxide (CO2) capture, purification and compression, will speak about carbon capture and storage from industrial sources and direct air capture Friday, April 26, at the University of Wyoming.
Dombrowski will speak from noon-1 p.m. in the UW Energy Innovation Center’s Encana Auditorium. The free lunch presentation is part of the UW School of Energy Resources’ (SER) Distinguished Speaker Series. Interested students, members of the campus community and the public are invited to attend.
“We are delighted to have Ms. Dombrowski come and speak about carbon capture and storage endeavors from an industrial perspective,” says Christine Reed, SER director of outreach. “Carbon capture and storage is a flagship research area at SER, so we are always excited to have experts visit campus to share their perspectives with our students and campus community, as well as connect with our researchers here to forge new collaborative opportunities.”
Dombrowski has more than two decades of engineering and project management experience. During her presentation, she will discuss Trimeric’s project experiences in designing CO2 capture from power plants, ethanol plants, the air and other sources, with a focus on the complexities of the integrated system from sources to transportation to sinks.
The University of Wyoming’s School of Energy Resources (SER) once again will host the Rocky Mountain Professional Landman Conference Monday, April 29.
The in-person forum seeks to bring together industry professionals and professional landman alumni in the Rocky Mountain region to showcase the profession; discuss current topics and issues facing the industry; and explore career paths and opportunities for future graduates.
The conference will take place from 8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the UW Conference Center in Laramie.
Brooks Yates, president of the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL), will deliver the keynote address.
“We are honored to have Mr. Yates give the keynote address at this important event,” says SER Academic Director Kami Danaei. “The Professional Land Management Program at UW is one of only 11 schools in the nation that are accredited through AAPL, the preeminent organization for professional landmen. The level at which our students are engaged with AAPL is phenomenal, so we are grateful to have the organization represented at the highest level here on campus — and for Mr. Yates to share his insights in the profession and offer guidance to our future landmen is invaluable.”
The robust agenda is composed of panel discussions covering hot topics in the energy sector, including issues on federal lands; enhanced oil recovery and how it relates to carbon capture, utilization and storage; nuclear energy; water; and a legal ethics panel.
An expansive list of speakers includes several Wyoming legislators, members of industry and academia, and energy attorneys.
“The Professional Land Management Program is a very interdisciplinary degree that exposes students to many different disciplines, including law, business, mathematics and environmental science,” says Kristen Pritchett, director of the program. “The intersection between law and energy is of particular note, and this event really highlights how closely the two professions work together to determine mineral and surface ownership, prepare reports and interface with the public and landowners. It is so valuable for our students to hear from and network with the very people with whom they will one day become colleagues.”
The conference is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register and for details — including the full agenda, speaker biographies, and travel and accommodation information — visit the event website.
The program also has been approved for 6.75 continuing education credits through AAPL, including 1 hour of ethics, 6.75 hours of continuing legal education credits with the Wyoming State Bar Association and 7 general continuing legal education credits in Colorado.
The forum is presented in collaboration with the Student Chapter of Energy Resources on campus. It is co-sponsored by AAPL, the Wyoming Association of Professional Landmen and the Associated Students of UW.
For more information, email SER Director of Outreach Christine Reed at christine.reed@uwyo.edu.
Madeleine Lewis, attorney and associate research professional of law and policy in the School of Energy Resources’ (SER) Center for Energy Regulation & Policy Analysis (CERPA) and Center for Economic Geology Research (CEGR), published an article in the Winter 2024 edition of the American Bar Association’s Natural Resources & Environment Magazine helping to define the term ‘environmental justice’ and what it means for energy communities.
The article examines the challenges of implementing a one-size-fits-all framework of environmental justice, particularly for rural energy states like Wyoming.
Additionally, it analyzes potential issues within the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, under which 40% of overall benefits from certain federal funding must flow to “disadvantaged communities” with an ultimate end-goal of promoting environmental justice and examines the position of “energy communities” within predominant environmental justice frameworks.
“While the concept of ‘environmental justice’ is not new, the role that it plays today in shifting energy trends has changed dramatically,” says Lewis. “I wanted to provide some historical context for the intended function of environmental justice while also helping to show that current energy communities are at risk of experiencing major injustices if current mechanism for identifying disadvantaged communities are not adjusted appropriately to include them in their analysis.”
Lewis concludes that current screening and mapping tools for identifying environmental justice communities are inadequate and may not provide a full picture of a communities’ relationship with energy. However, she hopes that the overview will assist energy communities with identifying the disconnect between current screening tools and will help to better inform conversations with federal entities seeking to enforce environmental justice requirements.
“Something that has been universally acknowledged, is that many communities next to large-scale energy projects have not typically had a voice or representation in the conversations about where a project is sited,” adds Lewis. “There is a concerted effort from federal agencies to do better in term stakeholder outreach and engagement. I hope that this article can not only provide some important guidance concerning the conversations that need to be taking place, but also some direction as to who should be included.”
Caryn Campbell, of Enbridge Inc., a multinational pipeline and energy company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, will discuss leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields from noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, in Room 201 of the University of Wyoming’s Energy Innovation Center.
Campbell’s presentation, sponsored by the UW School of Energy Resources (SER) as part of its Distinguished Speaker Series, will focus on those who are interested in pursuing leadership roles in STEM fields. The free luncheon presentation is open to students, the campus community and the public.
Campbell, director of operations for Enbridge’s southwest region, is responsible for the safe and reliable operations of pipeline and terminal assets across seven states. Throughout her career, Campbell has held numerous leadership roles, leading planning, design, engineering, project execution and operational teams in both Canada and the U.S.
She holds a B.S in civil engineering from the University of Manitoba and a certificate in leadership coaching from Mount Royal University. She also is a coach and mentor to women in STEM and is active in leadership development.
“We are pleased to have Caryn share her views and experiences with our students and wider UW community,” says Christine Reed, SER’s outreach director. “We have a brilliant team of faculty, researchers and students at SER that is increasingly diverse. We also recognize that representation matters, and we hope that Caryn’s words will help inspire students and professionals alike that there is a place for them in any field of study.”
Before her lunchtime presentation, Campbell will visit with members of the UW recognized student organization Women in Math, Science and Engineering for a special meet-and-greet.
“The opportunity to meet with and present to students at the University of Wyoming is an opportunity I just could not pass up,” Campbell says. “I am especially excited to share about my experiences with not only young women on campus, but all students, in hopes of encouraging even more interest in the STEM fields.”
Enbridge safely connects millions of people to the energy they rely on every day, fueling quality of life through its North American natural gas, oil or renewable power networks and its growing European offshore wind portfolio.
Enbridge invests in modern energy delivery infrastructure to sustain access to secure, affordable energy and building on two decades of experience in renewable energy to advance new technologies, including wind and solar power, hydrogen, renewable natural gas, and carbon capture and storage. Enbridge is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of the energy it delivers and to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The School of Energy Resources (SER) will host the second annual forum for the Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Mineral (CORE-CM) project in the Powder River Basin (PRB).
The event will take place on April 24 at the Northern Hotel in Billings, Mont., as well as online. It is open to any interested stakeholder, especially those located within the PRB of Montana and Wyoming.
Awarded by the Department of Energy (DOE) in 2021, Phase I of the CORE-CM project is part of a national strategy dedicated to finding alternative domestic sources of rare earth elements and critical minerals, as well as to focus on expanding and transforming the use of coal and coal-based resources to produce coal-based products using carbon ore.
The annual forum is part of the project directive to form a coalition of private industry, university, and state, local, and federal government to stimulate regional economic growth and employment opportunities in prominent coal basins.
“The Powder River Basin is one of the most prolific energy-producing basins in the U.S. and is the largest coal mining region by far,” says SER Program Manager Erin Phillips. “Last year we hosted the forum in Gillette and had great discussions on how we can continue to utilize these vast resources in support of a new critical mineral industry. This year, we are looking forward to engaging more with stakeholders, tribal and community members, and industries involved in critical material exploration in the Montana-side of the basin.”
The day-long forum will allow stakeholders and project partners to learn about updates and overviews of the varying tasks on the project, as well as hear from some featured keynote presentations, and participate in discussion sessions geared toward finding solutions for the development of a viable domestic supply of rare earth elements, critical minerals, and other valuable products.
Phillips, who also serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) on the project, says the event is very important in terms of broadening the network of people involved in developing new industries.
“We have had a lot of interest and participation in this project from across the region and we are very optimistic about the work that has already been conducted on Phase I of this project,” she says. “The PRB is well-positioned to grow this area of expertise, leverage existing infrastructure, and the more involvement we have from our coal communities, the better.”
During the recent legislative budget session, two students in the Energy Resource Management and Development (ERMD) degree programs in the School of Energy Resources (SER) participated in the Wyoming Legislative Internship Program.
Rachel Reese of Johnstown, Colo., and Tyler Schlagel of Cheyenne, Wyo., spent over 40 hours among Legislative Service Office staff, Wyoming legislators, and other elected officials during the 2024 session to gain a new appreciation for, and perspective on, representative democracy and public service in Wyoming.
The Wyoming Legislative Internship Program offers a unique ‘behind the scenes’ opportunity for college students to assist legislators and observe the Wyoming Legislature in action. Students from all majors are immersed in the session, committee meetings, and given tasks to assist legislators for the duration of the session.
“It was a delight to have Rachel and Tyler participating in the legislative internship this year,” says Legislative Intern Coordinator Lavonda Kopsa. “They were both engaged and learned a lot about the process. Both students did an excellent job of representing UW, and the SER program during their legislative internship.”
The intersection between energy and the law is especially significant in Wyoming. With a curriculum heavy in federal land use, contracts, and property law, the ERMD degree program positions students to enter the workforce with a comprehensive understanding of the role that the law plays in the energy sector. It further delivers a competitive-edge for students hoping to remain in the legal and regulatory field.
Majoring in ERMD, both Reese and Schlagel have their sights set on law school. Reese is pursuing the Professional Land Management (PLM) concentration and is a declared 3+3 student, while Schlagel is in the Energy and Environmental Systems (EES) concentration and is also earning the Land Administration certificate.
“At this point in time, Tyler and Rachel are hoping to attend the UW Law School, so getting to see the system in action has been so beneficial for both of them,” says SER Academic Director Kami Danaei. “This is the first time that the School of Energy Resources has been represented among the legislative internship pool, and it is a great opportunity for those legal-minded students to be immersed in the process of crafting and introducing bills, negotiating on the floor, and understanding the wider impacts of even the smallest piece of legislation.”
Students in the Wyoming Legislative Internship Program participate in a Q&A session with Governor Mark Gordon.
During the session, Reese and Schlagel were assigned tasks and worked with legislators on specific committees relative to their field of study. Specifically, they worked together on a fact-finding project for a house bill and future proposed bills on nuclear supply chain issues, as well as on pore space, and carbon capture and storage regulations.
“We were able to work with legislators and members of the Legislative Service Office to gain a better understanding of work that takes place during Wyoming’s budget session,” says Reese. “I had an incredible opportunity to work directly with Representative Burkhart on carbon capture as well as nuclear matters. The legislators work hard to pass legislation that is fit for Wyoming, and I am so thankful for the opportunity and the chance to be a part of something this impactful.”
The students were also able to meet with members of Wyoming’s Federal Delegation and other elected officials including Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder and Governor Gordon to ask questions about their roles and how energy impacts their policies.
“My experience in the legislature was very informative and educational regarding state government, and it was incredible to see firsthand the importance our government places on energy production,” says Schlagel. “Meeting with all of these parties allowed me to ask them questions about energy and land in Wyoming and hear many different perspectives. One thing that was relatively the same and was interesting to hear, was their belief in energy production in Wyoming and how it will always play a major role in our economy.”
The School of Energy Resources currently offers the fastest educational path to become a lawyer through the 3+3 program by which students majoring in the B.S. ERMD program can also obtain their Juris Doctor from the UW College of Law in six years instead of the traditional seven. To learn more about the ERMD program or the 3+3 program, go to www.uwyo.edu/ser or email seracad@uwyo.edu.
The UW School of Energy Resources’ CarbonSAFE 360 app is an interactive tool that shows the audience how deep carbon dioxide would be injected and stored into the subsurface. (SER Graphic)
The 3D Visualization Center at the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources (SER) is developing a powerful outreach and communication application to help the public understand the mechanics of underground carbon storage as part of the Wyoming CarbonSAFE project in the Powder River Basin.
Located adjacent to Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s Dry Fork Station near Gillette, the Wyoming CarbonSAFE project is part of a national initiative to capture and permanently store large volumes of carbon dioxide deep underground.
The new interactive visualization tool developed by the 3D Visualization Center allows users to see and experience the sheer scale and depth of the project, as well as understand the different geological formations that serve as storage zones and caprock seals.
“We wanted to create something that allows users to experience what carbon capture and storage entail,” says 3D Visualization Center Manager Kyle Summerfield. “Tools like this go a long way in providing a basic understanding of a new technology and addressing concerns about the safety.”
Using 360-degree image capture, the application transports users on-site to the cap of a well drilled to over 2 miles below the surface. The well may someday be used for injecting carbon dioxide into the subsurface. Users can survey the entire area as well as see the proximity of Dry Fork Station. Through an interactive feature, the core of the geologic strata from the well rises from the ground in subsequent stages, using a school bus for scale. The user interface also includes a wealth of information about each geologic layer in a clean and unified format.
The interactive tool has been an effective way to help the audience understand how deep carbon dioxide would be injected and stored in the subsurface.
In addition to the subsurface depth and geologic information, the platform is a great visual for appreciating the small surface footprint of a project that houses such massive storage potential.
“We are so fortunate to have such an incredibly talented team of developers in the 3D Visualization Center and such an effective resource to help our outreach and communication efforts for these projects,” says SER Senior Director of Research Scott Quillinan. “It is difficult to really conceptualize the depth of storage formations, the density of the caprock seals and the distance from underground aquifers. We are so excited to hopefully expand these capabilities in the 3D Visualization Center and enhance other projects at SER.”
It eventually will be available for download for a variety of platforms and has been fine-tuned to run seamlessly on mobile, web, desktop and virtual reality platforms. The team will continue to add modules to the interactive tool as they are developed.
For more information on the 3D Visualization Center, visit www.uwyo.edu/ser.
UW School of Energy Resources Energy Review 