Abstract

This article examines the environmental justice implications of carbon capture and storage (CCS) research initiative in Wyoming, mainly in Campbell County. As Wyoming faces declining demand for fossil fuels, particularly coal, the state has adopted an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy that includes both traditional fossil fuel industries and emerging low-carbon technologies. The study specifically analyzes how the development of CCS technology through the Wyoming’s carbon capture project could impact disadvantaged communities, aligning with the federal Justice40 Initiative’s goal of directing 40% of certain federal funding benefits to these populations. The research considers both direct impacts (such as job creation and decision-making involvement) and indirect effects on communities, including Tribal Nations with cultural connections to the area. Campbell County, which produces over 80% of Wyoming’s coal and has experienced a 29% decrease in coal mining employment since 2011, serves as the project’s focal point. The report aims to identify potential environmental justice benefits and concerns, propose mitigation strategies, and inform future CCS projects in Wyoming while supporting the state’s goal of achieving net-negative carbon emissions by 2050 without abandoning its fossil fuel industries.