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Playlist: Carbon Valley

Compiled By: Luke Foering

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Part 1: The Silver Bullet

From Wyoming Public Radio | 35:58

Coal is on its last legs. In the coal capital of the country, in the least-populated state in the union, leaders had to make a move. So, they turned to a silver bullet and brought in a $20 million competition to jumpstart a new era for coal country. Along the way, an unlikely ally emerges: a skateboarding environmentalist.

Carbon_valley_podcast_final-3000x3000_small

In Gillette, Wyoming, the self-declared energy capital of the nation since the 1960s, a community faces another chaotic coal bankruptcy, leaving miners without jobs and, for many, a question of whether to stick around. It’s the latest chapter of a well-known story: the decline of coal.

With a fundamental economic piece on the rocks, state leaders are forced to find answers to solve both a community’s problems and their own. For now, over a decade, leaders have increasingly invested time and energy into an answer to the “what’s next” question: becoming a hub for a thing called carbon capture. One of the first moves to jumpstart the nascent industry: host an international carbon capture competition. In Part 1 of this story, we also meet our main character.



Part 2: The Finalists

From Wyoming Public Radio | 47:52

We take a drive north across the Wyoming prairie to visit the research center that’s been dubbed a “glimmer of hope” for coal country. There, we meet the XPRIZE competitors for the first time and learn what’s at stake for them. And we start to wonder–could the confidence behind carbon capture be premature?

Carbon_valley_podcast_final-3000x3000_small We take a drive north across the Wyoming prairie to visit the research center that’s been dubbed a “glimmer of hope” for coal country. There, we meet the XPRIZE competitors for the first time and learn what’s at stake for them. And we start to wonder–could the confidence behind carbon capture be premature?

Part 3: Money And Time

From Wyoming Public Radio | 44:25

The finalists' confidence begins to crack as they're faced with the reality of setting up demonstrations in just a few months. How do their challenges stack up to those industry-wide? Also, we learn Jason and Dimensional Energy may be at more of a disadvantage than we even realized.

Carbon_valley_podcast_final-3000x3000_small The finalists' confidence begins to crack as they're faced with the reality of setting up demonstrations in just a few months. How do their challenges stack up to those industry-wide? Also, we learn Jason and Dimensional Energy may be at more of a disadvantage than we even realized.

Part 4: On Grief

From Wyoming Public Radio | 46:20

Cooper must abruptly leave Wyoming for an unexpected trip home. But there's no break in reporting on coal country: another coal-fired power plant has been scheduled for closure, raising existential questions for Kemmerer, Wyoming. Loss tangles with hope--but is it false hope?

Carbon_valley_podcast_final-3000x3000_small Cooper must abruptly leave Wyoming for an unexpected trip home. But there's no break in reporting on coal country: another coal-fired power plant has been scheduled for closure, raising existential questions for Kemmerer, Wyoming. Loss tangles with hope--but is it false hope?

Part 5: The Entrepreneur

From Wyoming Public Radio | 45:50

It's the summer of 2019. Two more coal companies have filed for bankruptcy, and hundreds of workers are left in the lurch. Meanwhile, Jason Salfi is relieved to find out the Carbon XPRIZE has been delayed. But, how does Jason's drive for this technology square with Wyoming's own? Has he faced any struggles that would help him empathize with coal country’s sense of loss?

Carbon_valley_podcast_final-3000x3000_small It's the summer of 2019. Two more coal companies have filed for bankruptcy, and hundreds of workers are left in the lurch. Meanwhile, Jason Salfi is relieved to find out the Carbon XPRIZE has been delayed. But, how does Jason's drive for this technology square with Wyoming's own? Has he faced any struggles that would help him empathize with coal country’s sense of loss?

Part 6: A Labor Of Love

From Wyoming Public Radio | 52:42

Cooper can't wait any longer to see carbon capture utilization technology, so he makes a slightly abnormal reporting trip… across the country. He wants to see how Jason’s team is faring. Are they actually ready to set up a large-scale demonstration soon? What challenges do an early-stage startup truly face? And most importantly, will Cooper survive an encounter with a very large rabbit?

Carbon_valley_podcast_final-3000x3000_small Cooper can't wait any longer to see carbon capture utilization technology, so he makes a slightly abnormal reporting trip… across the country. He wants to see how Jason’s team is faring. Are they actually ready to set up a large-scale demonstration soon? What challenges do an early-stage startup truly face? And most importantly, will Cooper survive an encounter with a very large rabbit?

Part 7: A Leap Of Faith

From Wyoming Public Radio | 49:50

Dimensional Energy is at a crossroads with the NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE: can they afford to stay in? Their situation raises larger questions about the value of grand challenges. It turns out, not everyone is on board with prize competitions as a strategy to move technology forward.

Carbon_valley_podcast_final-3000x3000_small Dimensional Energy is at a crossroads with the NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE: can they afford to stay in? Their situation raises larger questions about the value of grand challenges. It turns out, not everyone is on board with prize competitions as a strategy to move technology forward.

Part 8: The Pandemic-Sized Wrench

From Wyoming Public Radio | 51:18

The pandemic wreaks havoc on the Carbon XPRIZE – it turns out, additional delays won't be the only impact. Upon arriving in Gillette, Cooper is in for a major surprise. Plus, things start to get competitive between the teams on site.

Carbon_valley_podcast_final-3000x3000_small The pandemic wreaks havoc on the Carbon XPRIZE – it turns out, additional delays won't be the only impact. Upon arriving in Gillette, Cooper is in for a major surprise. Plus, things start to get competitive between the teams on site.