State budget woes

[SnowyRange]

As the state government revenue projections continue to look very grim, it becomes very unlikely that the state is going to send any more money to UW athletics -- beyond what they've already committed.

It seems more likely that, like the rest of UW, athletics is going to have to do some budget cutting.

 

[WestWYOPoke]

It is unfortunate. But that means that now, more than ever before, is the time to find and tap into other outside sources of revenue besides relying on the state, alumni and donors for help.

 

[BJC]

Like a roku channel with gamers..insider info...etc*? Streaming...adds...attempt to sell more merchandise.

Beer sales.....restaurant/bar with filed view......Pray we get a better TV contract?

 

[BJC]

Like a roku channel with gamers..insider info...etc*? Streaming...adds...attempt to sell more merchandise.

Beer sales.....restaurant/bar with filed view......Pray we get a better TV contract?

Coors...Taco Johns..... :twocents:

 

[HR_Poke]

10 bucks says they do across the board cuts but still manage to put 100 million into the rainy day fund.... Just like the last time they made cuts but put 250 million into the rainy day fund.....

 

[PokeOLoco]

A mountain of cash with no one around to share it with.

 

[pokefanchaz7]

Call me crazy but the state should invest in nuclear energy. We have mountains of uranium in the state and the Feds are making coal less of an option each year. The only catch is where to store waste but we certainly could figure out a way to make it work.

 

[LanderPoke]

Call me crazy but the state should invest in nuclear energy. We have mountains of uranium in the state and the Feds are making coal less of an option each year. The only catch is where to store waste but we certainly could figure out a way to make it work.

I have wondered why we don't push nuclear, too. It's "better" as far as CO2 emissions go. And there's plenty of places to store waste. For example anywhere between Shoshoni and Casper, the most God-forsaken road in the world. Or north of Wamsutter - that land was made to store nuclear waste

 

[kansasCowboy]

Call me crazy but the state should invest in nuclear energy. We have mountains of uranium in the state and the Feds are making coal less of an option each year. The only catch is where to store waste but we certainly could figure out a way to make it work.

I have wondered why we don't push nuclear, too. It's "better" as far as CO2 emissions go. And there's plenty of places to store waste. For example anywhere between Shoshoni and Casper, the most God-forsaken road in the world. Or north of Wamsutter - that land was made to store nuclear waste

No no. Don't go north of Wamsutter! That is getting into the sand dunes. Good hunting and all around fun. Go south of Wamsutter towards the border.

 

[ragtimejoe1]

Everyone forgets we have the TB, as in Tom Burman. He knew well in advance that the energy sector was going to crash which is why he slyly said our funding was TBD. Why in the hell do you think he held some back from the AA and has kept our budgets below MWC average? Do you really think the AA wsa over budget? You probably think it was because he didn’t plan well on the AA or wasn’t doing enough to keep us competitive. Ha!Ha! Jokes on you. Eat it.

While others were foolishly spending money and trying to be competitive, TB knew the energy sector would crash and other Universities in the West would be screwed. Those programs are dependent on more revenue to succeed but now that revenue is drying up. TB sat back like a fox and maintained a program that can keep the doors open by picking up cans if need be. While they are in crisis mode, we are right in our wheelhouse.

Cuts? Pshaww. Rejoice!! TB is on it and TBD is near!

 

[PokeOLoco]

Exactly right, the fact that our funding is so dependent on state funds that we can't survive across the board budget cuts is sad. Where's that athletics endowment?

 

[ragtimejoe1]

Exactly right, the fact that our funding is so dependent on state funds that we can't survive across the board budget cuts is sad. Where's that athletics endowment?

That is all part of the master plan and a component of TBD. TB just didn't want to play his hand and tip off the rest of the MWC. That would give them time to prepare.

Through TBD, TB is about to increase budgets beyond imagine while other MWC will struggle to buy TP. He is going to liquid assets and increase revenues to make our yearly budgets more solvent. He will also cut things that are not necessary like pre-game entertainment and recruiting.

 

[OrediggerPoke]

Call me crazy but the state should invest in nuclear energy. We have mountains of uranium in the state and the Feds are making coal less of an option each year. The only catch is where to store waste but we certainly could figure out a way to make it work.

Storage is not the "only catch."

The up-front costs of nuclear generating facilities is unbelievably large compared to natural gas and coal. The last nuclear plant was built in the 70s and the last reactor built in the US was in 1996. There is a reason for this.

Any drive to push nuclear power generation would have been driven by an increase in commodity prices for natural gas and coal. Exactly the opposite has happened. Natural gas supplies across the nation are massive (especially in the Marcellus and Utica) and any nuclear ambitions in the US is not foreseeable barring a massive technological breakthrough.


...however, there is a potential market for Uranium...CHINA!

 

[LanderPoke]

Call me crazy but the state should invest in nuclear energy. We have mountains of uranium in the state and the Feds are making coal less of an option each year. The only catch is where to store waste but we certainly could figure out a way to make it work.

Storage is not the "only catch."

The up-front costs of nuclear generating facilities is unbelievably large compared to natural gas and coal. The last nuclear plant was built in the 70s and the last reactor built in the US was in 1996. There is a reason for this.

Any drive to push nuclear power generation would have been driven by an increase in commodity prices for natural gas and coal. Exactly the opposite has happened. Natural gas supplies across the nation are massive (especially in the Marcellus and Utica) and any nuclear ambitions in the US is not foreseeable barring a massive technological breakthrough.


...however, there is a potential market for Uranium...CHINA!

Thanks for the knowledge, Oredigger. But here's my question - Isn't uranium/nuclear becoming more viable now that coal, natural gas & other fossil fuels are under such heavy scrutiny? Not mention hippies wanting to tear down all the dams. Why is the demand for coal down? If we're burning less coal where is our power coming from? Solar, wind?

 

[pokefanchaz7]

I don't pretend to know it all. But the shortsighted view is to continue to rely on fossil fuels.

I understand the up front costs would be huge but we are a state with the funds to do it.

Long term the Feds are going to make fossil fuel impossible to make a profit. We are starting to see it in coal.

I'm afraid our cash cow of energy will dry up and Wyoming will no longer be able to sustain a strong Economic outlook.

I hope that this greenhouse gas business is uncovered as a hoax and we can depend on our vast fossil fuel reserves but we seem to be trending the other way.

Nuclear long term seems more sustainable

 

[OrediggerPoke]

Thanks for the knowledge, Oredigger. But here's my question - Isn't uranium/nuclear becoming more viable now that coal, natural gas & other fossil fuels are under such heavy scrutiny? Not mention hippies wanting to tear down all the dams. Why is the demand for coal down? If we're burning less coal where is our power coming from? Solar, wind?

The quick answer: Natural Gas!

The demand for coal is down because the recent abundance of and price of natural gas. During the Coal Bed Methane heyday (circa 2003-2008), natural gas prices were largely in the $5 to $8 per MCF range. Natural gas prices have remained very low in recent years due to the shale boom that has unlocked massive reserves. Currently natural gas has traded in the $2.15 to $2.90 per MCF range for the majority of the year. Keep in mind that natural gas is currently more of a local market than a world market (unlike oil) due to transportation issues.

Natural gas is a cleaner fuel than coal. The fact that gas prices are so low have made it become more economic than coal due to the ever increasing regulations on coal plants. So now, rather than building new coal plants we see an increase in gas plants.. and also, rather than update old "grandfathered" coal plants, electric utilities are ever increasingly converting the coal plants to gas plants.

Yes there is an increase in solar and wind generation, but these "renewable" fuels are still rather inconsequential as far as total energy demand.

...and after Fukushima, I believe the "hippies" you refer to are rather opposed to development of nuclear facilities in the US.

 

[OrediggerPoke]

Nuclear long term seems more sustainable

If I had to place a bet for 30 years out, I would put my money on solar with the rapid development of economic solar generation. Luckily, Wyoming has a lot of sun.

 

[pokefanchaz7]

I know the biggest issue with solar seems to be the seasonal nature of it. Solar doesn't work during winter very well.

 

[OrediggerPoke]

I know the biggest issue with solar seems to be the seasonal nature of it. Solar doesn't work during winter very well.

Yes, same issues with wind...peak demand is during the hot summer days when wind is typically less viable.

BUT we are rapidly developing energy storage capabilities which likely will relegate seasonal issues as inconsequential in the future.

 

[Lost Poke]

I don't think I'd ever want to bash the current and former legislators who created and maintained the rainy day funds.

Long ago they realized that Wyoming is even less in control of it's own destiny than most US States. It's basically a 3rd world economy that exports natural resources and imports everything else. Other countries, oil cartels, foreign and US governments etc. all make decisions that make Wyoming the boom and bust that it is. So good on those ol' boys for putting a floor under the disasters the State has to survive every 15 to 20 years.