Kunze honored as DEQ Public Servant of the Year

Cheyenne – Matt Kunze demonstrates an impressive dedication to the environment, the public and student mentorship. He manages the three seamlessly and far beyond the expectations for his job. That’s how he earned the recognition as DEQ’s Public Servant of the Year for 2020 on Friday at the agency’s annual all-staff meeting. Kunze is a […]

DEQ awards annual noncoal reclamation award to Wyo-Ben Inc.

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently awarded the 2021 Excellence in Mining Reclamation Award for non-coal to Wyo-Ben Inc. for excellent work to reclaim a bentonite pit near Thermopolis. DEQ presents the Excellence in Mining Reclamation Awards to Wyoming coal and noncoal mine operators who demonstrate an achievement in a specific […]

DEQ awards annual coal reclamation award to Antelope Coal

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently awarded the 2021 Excellence in Mining Reclamation Award for coal to Antelope Coal LLC for their exceptional reconstruction of Spring Creek near the Antelope Mine. DEQ presents the Excellence in Mining Reclamation Awards to Wyoming coal and noncoal mine operators who demonstrate an achievement in […]

WDEQ meets new, lower sulfur dioxide standard

Photo credit: Genesis Alkali By Kristine Galloway CHEYENNE – Wyoming’s air continues a decades-long trend of low levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2). SO2 is a pollutant that can be a bi-product of combustion with fuels that contain sulfur, such as coal. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies it as possibly hazardous to people’s health. […]

DEQ Director names new Solid and Hazardous Waste Administrator

Statewide, Wyo. – The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Director, Todd Parfitt has named Suzanne Engels as the new Solid and Hazardous Waste Division (SHWD) Administrator. Engels previous experience includes 13 years with DEQ where she worked within SHWD and the Water Quality Division.  Additionally, she worked for the Colorado Department of Public Health […]

Notice to Avoid and Report Possible Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms in Wyoming Waters

CHEYENNE, Wyo – With summer upon us and more people heading to Wyoming’s lakes and reservoirs to recreate, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH), and the Wyoming Livestock Board (WLB) want to remind the public to avoid and keep animals away from cyanobacterial blooms and to report suspected […]

DEQ continues to lead the way in finding and reducing emissions at oil and gas facilities

In May of 2020, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Air Quality Division (AQD) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a report for the first phase of a study to better quantify performance of enclosed combustion devices (ECD’s), also known as or enclosed flares, at oil and gas facilities. ECD’s or enclosed […]

DEQ reminds Wyoming residents to call before they plan on burning materials

Every spring and summer, residents across the state may consider burning materials at their residence or property. In addition, some large scale vegetative burns are conducted to promote healthy forests and rangelands. However, there are specific requirements and regulations, which must be followed prior to such activities. According to Nancy Vehr, Air Quality Division (AQD) […]