Into the 1970s

Into the 1970s: Wyoming Deals with Boom Times and "Impact"

I. Wyoming in 1970: On the edge of development/change

a. nationally, Vietnam War still dominated political debate

b. in Wyoming, economy in malaise--emphasis on economic development efforts

c. Sen. Gale McGee, Gov./Sen. Cliff Hansen, Cong. Teno Roncalio--politics in the '70s

d. Stan Hathaway's governorship: increasing size of state government

e. election of Ed Herschler (1974)

f. Stan Hathaway appointed Secretary of the Interior by Pres. Ford; resigns after six weeks

II. Arab Oil Embargo, Dec. 1973-1974, and aftermath

a. oil prices rise rapidly; American industrial economy falters

b. oil exploration increases in Wyoming; Overthrust belt

c. coal returns as significant fuel--strip mining, very little underground mining

i. mining efficiencies: big equipment, few employees

ii. decreasing power of labor unions

d. growth: Powder River Basin, Campbell, Carbon, Sweetwater, Uinta, Lincoln counties

e. Wyoming power plants

i. Laramie Basin Electric Power plant, Wheatland

ii. Jim Bridger Power Plant

iii. Other power projects

f. contradictions of "prosperity"--winners and losers in "boom times"

i. the "secondary" booms

ii. overbuilding and the results

III. Wyoming political responses to oil boom

a. significance of the severance tax (1969-early 1980s)

b. "Permanent Mineral Trust Fund": banking money for a "rainy day"

c. proposals for mine expansion and government response

d. Department of Environmental Quality

e. Powder River Basin Resource Council; High Country News

f. Dept. of Planning and Economic Development

g. Industrial Siting Act

h. ETSI plan for a coal slurry pipeline

IV. Social issues of "impact"

a. "Gillette syndrome"

b. huge population increases; another "boom" era

c. financing impact--state government provides assistance to cities, counties

c. "crime and corruption in Rock Springs"

d. Cantrell murder trial: "fast-draw defense"

Names and Significant Terms

Arab oil embargo black-footed ferret

severance tax

Ed Herschler

"Overthrust" belt "Gillette syndrome"

"impact" State Farm Loan Board

coal slurry pipeline Permanent Mineral Trust Fund

trona Dept. of Environmental Quality