Kemmerer local news summary

Council backs $70 million request for wastewater plant

City anticipates $1.18 million in impact funding

Offer received on industrial park land

Engineering firm hired for airport weather station

Winter clubhouse opening tabled amid infrastructure concerns

Wildlife expo moving to Sublette County due to high costs

New police officer sworn in

New thresholds clarified for private and commercial solar

Lower Valley Energy solar project tabled until 2026

County anticipates impact payments from industrial siting

Justice Center construction progresses

Commission responds to BLM on Rock Springs management plan

Commissioners honor officers for lifesaving actions

Council backs $70 million request for wastewater plant

KEMMERER, Wyo. - The city council voted to authorize the mayor to sign a letter of support for a $70 million congressional appropriations request to Rep. Harriet Hageman. The funding is sought by the Kemmerer-Diamondville Joint Powers Board to replace the community’s 43-year-old wastewater treatment plant, which officials say is past its design life and limiting growth. While the council approved the letter, the decision followed discussion regarding differing engineering opinions and the Diamondville Town Council's recent decision to table the matter pending further information on potential cost-saving alternatives.

City anticipates $1.18 million in impact funding

KEMMERER, Wyo. - City Administrator Brian Muir reported on the progress of impact assistance funds related to the Dry Creek plant and carbon capture sequestration project. The city anticipates receiving approximately $1.18 million over the course of the 30-month project, calculated based on a cost-of-services model and projected population influx. The council discussed allocating these funds primarily toward road projects, specifically targeting the Canyon Road corridor, which is expected to see increased traffic from new housing developments.

Offer received on industrial park land

KEMMERER, Wyo. - City Administrator Brian Muir announced that the city has received an offer to purchase property within the city’s industrial park. While specific details of the buyer were not disclosed, Muir stated that the administration is moving forward with the necessary statutory processes, including ordering a land appraisal and preparing for a future public hearing to discuss the potential sale and economic development opportunity.

Engineering firm hired for airport weather station

KEMMERER, Wyo. - The council voted to authorize a contract with JV Aviation to provide engineering services for the replacement of the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) at the airport. The contract is not to exceed $45,000. City officials noted that the project is largely funded by grants, with the city’s portion of the total project cost estimated to be roughly $3,125.

Winter clubhouse opening tabled amid infrastructure concerns

KEMMERER, Wyo. - A proposal to open the golf course clubhouse four days a week during the winter season was tabled after council members and staff expressed concerns regarding the building's plumbing. While the council expressed a desire to provide winter amenities like skating and simulators, City Administrator Brian Muir and public works staff warned that the sewer line sharing a connection with the city shop is prone to freezing during cold snaps. The council opted to take no action, effectively pausing the plan until further engineering information regarding the sewer system's viability in freezing temperatures can be obtained.

Wildlife expo moving to Sublette County due to high costs

KEMMERER, Wyo. - Organizers of a major wildlife expo announced they are moving the event from Kemmerer to the Sublette County Fairgrounds in Big Piney, citing a massive disparity in venue costs. Organizer Vance McGehee told the council that hosting the event in Kemmerer would cost approximately $55,000 due to the need for tent rentals, security and infrastructure to augment the event center, compared to a total facility fee of $750 in Sublette County. McGehee noted that while the board wanted to stay local, the cost savings offered by the oil-field-funded facilities in Big Piney were too significant to ignore for the fundraising event.

New police officer sworn in

KEMMERER, Wyo. – Newly hired police officer Dallas Blasengym was officially sworn into the Kemmerer Police Department during Tuesday’s meeting. City Clerk-Treasurer Natasia Diers administered the oath of office, with Mayor Bill (William) Thek and Chief of Police Mike (Michael) Kahre in attendance. Blasengym, who previously served with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office for two years, joins the department as part of the city’s ongoing effort to maintain full staffing levels.  

New thresholds clarified for private and commercial solar

KEMMERER, Wyo. - Planning Director Ken Kuluski clarified upcoming changes to county regulations regarding solar and wind generation. Beginning in 2026, private production will be capped at 10 kilowatts (KW). Any system generating under 10 KW will be considered residential, while anything exceeding that output will be classified as commercial and subject to a different permitting process. Private use systems currently do not require permitting.

Lower Valley Energy solar project tabled until 2026

KEMMERER, Wyo. - A proposal for a 1-megawatt solar array by Lower Valley Energy has been delayed at the applicant's request. Planning Director Ken Kuluski presented the file for the project, which commissioners voted to table until Feb. 4, 2026. During public comment, one resident stated via video from Afton that he supported the delay, noting that significant work remains to be done on the proposal.

County anticipates impact payments from industrial siting

KEMMERER, Wyo. - Chief of Staff Stephen Allen reported that Lincoln County stands to receive between $1.4 million and $4 million in industrial siting funds, depending on tax measures in neighboring Sublette County. Allen noted that the Blue Spruce/Dry Piney Helium project in Kemmerer, LaBarge and Marbleton failed to itemize projects and was given 30 days to comply. If Sublette County passes a General Penny Tax, roughly $700,000 will not be distributed; without the tax passage, Lincoln County could receive more than $4 million from a total pot of $14.7 million.

Justice Center construction progresses

KEMMERER, Wyo. - Work on the new Justice Center is moving forward with the pouring of floors and a walkthrough completed for power box placement, according to Chief of Staff Stephen Allen. The commission approved a $9,141 agreement with Enbridge to provide a gas line to the facility. Additionally, Allen noted that a "topper ceremony" for the Courthouse and Justice Center is upcoming.

Commission responds to BLM on Rock Springs management plan

KEMMERER, Wyo. – The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a formal response letter to the Bureau of Land Management regarding the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment, adding the county’s voice to an issue that has stirred debate across southwest Wyoming. The Rock Springs RMP governs how more than 3.6 million acres of BLM land in southwest Wyoming are managed, including areas used for grazing, energy development and outdoor recreation, and has drawn criticism from state and local officials who say earlier versions placed too many restrictions on those activities.  

BLM is now moving to amend the 2024 plan in response to federal “Unleashing American Energy” directives, launching a new public comment process focused on revisiting special designations and mineral development opportunities on roughly 1.3 million acres.  While the contents of Lincoln County’s letter were not read aloud, commissioners indicated the response is meant to keep local concerns and economic impacts in front of federal officials as they reconsider how the Rock Springs field office balances conservation with multiple use.  

Commissioners honor officers for lifesaving actions

KEMMERER, Wyo. - The commission honored Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Corey Ashliman and Sgt. Cory Stooffor their response to a Sept. 28 medical emergency in Kemmerer. A South Lincoln EMS supervisor presented lifesaving awards to the officers, noting their rapid response and use of automated external defibrillators to perform CPR on a man who had lost consciousness. Sheriff Shane Johnson also presented insignias for the officers to wear on their uniforms in recognition of their lifesaving efforts.

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