For decades, the Kemmerer coal mine and the Naughton power plant have been the economic backbone of Kemmerer and its neighboring town, Diamondville, WyoFile reports.
However, as coal-fired energy declines, these communities face an uncertain future. Recent layoffs at the coal mine and the planned transition of the Naughton plant to natural gas have left many residents concerned about job security and economic stability.
Linda Slovernick, who has lived in Kemmerer for years, worries about what could happen if her husband, a coal mine worker, loses his job. While he survived the most recent round of layoffs—28 positions cut—future workforce reductions remain a constant concern.
“This coal mine has been the life of this town for decades,” Slovernick said.
The mine has faced job losses before, shedding 92 positions since 2017. Its biggest customer, the Naughton power plant, will stop using coal by the end of the year, and other contracts remain uncertain. Without new buyers for its coal, the mine’s future remains in doubt.
Despite concerns over coal’s decline, there is a renewed sense of hope with the upcoming construction of the $4 billion Natrium nuclear power plant, a project backed by Bill Gates’ TerraPower. The plant is expected to bring significant investment and jobs to the area, utilizing existing power infrastructure and potentially retraining workers from the coal industry.
Rosie’s Pizzeria and Sports Bar owner Phillip Viviano has seen a shift in the town’s mood since the Natrium announcement.
“You saw the community go from yellow lawns to green lawns, to people painting houses and putting new roofs on,” he said.
Other industrial projects, such as ExxonMobil’s $400 million carbon capture expansion and proposed wind and solar projects, also signal economic diversification. However, some longtime coal workers remain skeptical about whether they will benefit from these new opportunities.
While the nuclear plant and other projects promise growth, they also bring challenges. Housing prices in Kemmerer have surged as outside investors buy up properties, and infrastructure struggles to keep pace. The town’s sewer system is failing, and local leaders are seeking funding to improve roads and public services.
Kemmerer Mayor Robert Bowen recognizes the economic potential but also sees the difficulties ahead.
“We need more permanent jobs,” he said. “We don’t want to be turning businesses away, but we don’t have the sewer capacity for them.”
The Wyoming Legislature’s recent property tax cuts further complicate funding efforts for local services. Meanwhile, community members worry about crime rates increasing with the influx of temporary workers.
Kemmerer and Diamondville stand at a crossroads. The shift from coal to alternative energy sources presents both opportunities and challenges. Some residents remain wary, wondering if new industries will truly replace lost coal jobs. Others, like business owners and entrepreneurs, see a chance for revitalization.
Residents like Linda Slovernick hope that economic changes will allow families to stay in the town they have long called home.
“Kemmerer is a beautiful place,” Viviano said. “When the community flourishes, we all do.”
