Wyoming Energy Share Opens Applications To Help Families With Winter Power Bills

The original story by Denise Mestas for Wyoming News Now.

Wyoming’s Energy Share program is gearing up for another winter of helping families keep the lights on and the heat running — and applications are now open.

Multiple utilities and energy companies across the state have teamed up to launch the 34th annual Energy Share of Wyoming season, which began accepting applications on Dec. 1, 2025 and runs through spring 2026.

Energy Share is designed for people facing energy-related emergencies — things like overdue power or propane bills — when unexpected hardships hit and regular assistance programs just aren’t enough. The program is funded entirely through voluntary donations from individuals, businesses and corporate sponsors.

“During the 2024–25 heating season, Energy Share of Wyoming raised $107,981.59 in private and corporate donations to assist 236 households in 12 counties throughout Wyoming,” said Laurie Farkas, president of the Energy Share of Wyoming board of directors.

Of that total, $75,422.58 went directly toward helping people pay electric and propane bills.

Board vice president Phillip Scheel said the program continues to work because Wyoming residents look out for each other.

“We continue to be very fortunate in Wyoming to have so many generous people who are able to help their neighbors through difficult times,” Scheel said. “Over the years, our program has been very successful and been able to assist thousands of families in need.”

Energy Share of Wyoming is a nonprofit partnership made up of utilities, associations and community groups. Sponsors include:

• The Align Team;
• Black Hills Energy;
• Enbridge;
• Montana Dakota Utilities;
• Rocky Mountain PERC;
• Rocky Mountain Power;
• Wyoming Rural Electric Association.

Community partners helping take and review applications include:

• The Salvation Army;
• First Stop Help Center (Lander);
• Sweetwater Family Resource Center (Rock Springs);
• Laramie Interfaith.

Energy Share funding can be used to help with past-due energy and propane bills once all other assistance options have been exhausted.

Key details:

• Priority goes to households at or above 225% of the Federal Poverty Level;
• Special consideration is given to seniors and people with disabilities;
• Assistance is one-time, up to $500 per household for energy costs;
• Rocky Mountain PERC has also donated funds to provide a one-time propane payment up to $500;
• All applicants must be Wyoming residents.

Funding decisions are made by The Salvation Army and local community resource centers, which review applications based on need, lack of other resources, and available Energy Share funds.

If you’re struggling to pay your energy or propane bill and have already used other assistance options, you can:

• Contact your local Salvation Army or community resource center, or;
• Visit www.energyshareofwyoming.org;
• for more information and application forms.

For those who want to help, donations to Energy Share of Wyoming are tax-deductible.

You can:

• Follow the contribution instructions included in your utility billing statements from sponsoring companies, or
• Mail donations to:

Energy Share of Wyoming
c/o Align
822 W. 23rd Street
Cheyenne, WY 82001

A little help from neighbors can make the difference between a cold house and a warm, safe winter for Wyoming families.