CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A laboratory where researchers will study how to prevent carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere will be built at a Basin Electric power plant near Gillette.

Gov. Matt Mead plans an announcement Thursday at Dry Fork Station owned by Bismarck, North Dakota-based Basin Electric. Mead spokesman David Bush confirms Dry Fork is the site chosen for the Integrated Test Facility.

Wyoming is the nation's top coal-producing state. Burning coal for electricity is a major source of carbon dioxide, the gas most to blame for climate change.

Wyoming has committed $15 million to the carbon-capture research lab. Several teams will use the lab to develop ways to remove carbon dioxide from the plant's flue gas.

A power plant owned by Black Hills Power was the other candidate site.

 

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