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Energy Reporter

David Madison

David Madison is an award-winning journalist and documentary producer based in Bozeman, Montana. He’s also reported for Wyoming PBS. He studied journalism at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and has worked at news outlets throughout Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Montana.

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More than 300 people filed into the Cam-plex Heritage Center Theater on Tuesday night for a presentation from BWXT about its proposed nuclear fuel manufacturing facility in Gillette.

BWXT Pitches Nuclear Fuel Plant In Gillette As Locals Wrestle With Mixed Emotions

BWXT officials promise a $500 million nuclear fuel plant will bring more than 200 jobs to Gillette without creating or storing nuclear waste there. But residents told the company Tuesday they're wrestling with the idea of a nuclear future.

David MadisonOctober 01, 2025

Exporting Wyoming coal to Asian markets could help the state make up for lost revenues with federal royalty rates dropping from 12.5% to 7%, Gov. Mark Gordon said Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. He also said AI and data centers present huge potential for the state.

Gordon: Coal Exports, Production Boost Could Make Up For Lower Revenues

Gov. Mark Gordon on Tuesday said exporting Wyoming coal to Asian markets could help the state make up for lost revenues with federal royalty rates dropping from 12.5% to 7%. He also said AI and data centers present huge potential for the state.

David MadisonSeptember 30, 2025

Campbell County's 20-year-old Remotec F6B robot named Judy, originally bought with post-9/11 Homeland Security grants, will retire. That announcement caused a commissioner to wonder, "Where do old robots go to die?"

'Where Do Old Robots Go To Die?' Campbell County Retires 20-Year-Old Bomb Squad Robot

Campbell County's 20-year-old Remotec F6B robot named Judy, originally bought with post-9/11 Homeland Security grants, is retiring. That announcement caused a commissioner to wonder, "Where do old robots go to die?"

David MadisonSeptember 28, 2025

Sugar beets lovell scaled

Wyoming Sugar Beet Growers Project Near-Record Harvest And Sugar Content

Rain across northern Wyoming temporarily halted sugar beet harvest operations last week, but growers are confident they can keep pace with factory demands as the annual harvest ramps up. If projections hold, this season will mark the second-highest sugar content on record.

David MadisonSeptember 28, 2025

Montana’s tireless “Coal King,” the late Duane Ankney, beat a path between Colstrip and Helena, Montana, and then Washington D.C., advocating for the industry where he made his career.

Legacy Of Montana's Coal King Lives On As Industry Gains New Political Momentum

Since Duane Ankney died in August, tributes have poured in celebrating Montana's "Coal King" for his legislative efforts and tireless advocacy. The greatest tribute might be the significant political momentum the coal industry is now feeling.

David MadisonSeptember 27, 2025

Wyoming mountain bikers are ripping a page from the playbook of snowmobilers to raise money to build better trails. Proposed legislation would create the first systematic fee structure — aka "greenie tax" — for non-motorized trail users at state parks.

Proposed 'Greenie Tax' Would Make Coloradans Pay For Using Wyoming Trails

More than 60% of mountain bikers at Wyoming's Curt Gowdy State Park are out-of-state, mostly Colorado. New legislation supported by Rep. Karlee Provenza would make them pay for it. "I'm all for figuring out how can we have Colorado pay for their usage of our land," she said.

David MadisonSeptember 27, 2025

After vanishing over the Pacific in 1942, Sgt. Thomas Cotner was presumed lost forever. Now a researcher's discovery in a remote New Guinea jungle has revealed the sacrifice of a young Casper, Wyoming, man who flew directly into the teeth of war.

Missing Wyoming WWII Vet’s B-17 Bomber Discovered In New Guinea Jungle

After vanishing over the Pacific in 1942, Sgt. Thomas Cotner of Casper was presumed lost forever. Now eight decades later, wreckage of the B-17 Flying Fortress where Tom served as a radio operator and gunner was discovered.

David MadisonSeptember 27, 2025

Nuclear fuel manufacturing company BWXT told Cowboy State Daily it required nondisclosure agreements with Gillette city officials to protect commercially sensitive information about the size and scope of its proposed fuel fabrication facility.

BWXT Explains Secrecy Around Plans For Gillette Nuclear Fuel Plant

Reacting to criticism over requiring nondisclosure agreements with Gillette officials, nuclear fuel manufacturing company BWXT said they were needed to protect sensitive information about the size and scope of the proposed facility.

David MadisonSeptember 24, 2025

Joe Stopper, a former senior energy advisor to the Trump White House and Interior Department, has joined the executive team for Ramaco Resources. He says the company, its Brook Mine and Wyoming figure to be major players in building up the U.S. rare earth industry.

Former Trump White House Energy Official Joins Wyoming Rare Earth Company

A former senior energy advisor to the Trump White House and Interior Department has joined the executive team for Ramaco Resources. He says the company and Wyoming figure to be major players in building up the U.S. rare earth industry.

David MadisonSeptember 23, 2025

Rock springs goat 2 9 21 25

Goat-Gate: Hungry Goats, Flood Control And Claims Of Corruption In Rock Springs

A $58,000 contract for goats to eat creek-side vegetation for flood control in Rock Springs has unleashed anger and claims of corruption. Tempers flared and one city councilman said, "this whole goat thing is insane."

David MadisonSeptember 21, 2025

Wyoming's Pete Simpson Jr. performed more than 5,000 times without saying a word as Blue Man No. 9 in the world-famous Blue Man Group. Over a 29-year run, he became the longest-tenured member of the unique experimental theater troupe.

Wyoming's Pete Simpson Jr., 29 Years In Famous Blue Man Group, Finally Speaks

Wyoming's Pete Simpson Jr. performed more than 5,000 times without saying a word as Blue Man No. 9 in the world-famous Blue Man Group. Stepping away after 29 years, Simpson is the most prolific performer in Blue Man Group history.

David MadisonSeptember 20, 2025

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As Wyoming Struggles With Nuclear Waste, Canada Shares Its Success Story

As communities in Wyoming debate whether to allow spent fuel storage as the state's nuclear industry is growing, state legislators heard Wednesday about how Canada has handled its dilemma of where to put its nuclear waste.

David MadisonSeptember 18, 2025

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The California Supreme Court on Wednesday effectively ended a decade-long legal battle over shipping coal out of the Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal. The decision clears a path for potential Wyoming coal exports.

California Supreme Court Clears Path For Wyoming Coal Exports Through Oakland Port

The California Supreme Court on Wednesday effectively ended a decade-long legal battle over shipping coal out of the Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal. The decision clears a path for potential Wyoming coal exports.

David MadisonSeptember 18, 2025

Campbell County Courthouse nuclear waste 2 9 16 25

Campbell County Considers Putting Nuclear Waste Ban To A Vote

Campbell County Commissioners on Tuesday considered a ballot resolution asking people to vote on whether nuclear waste should be stored there. With other states eying Wyoming for their waste, "we need to make a statement," Commissioner Jerry Means said.

David MadisonSeptember 16, 2025

Welcome to Wyoming's Grand Targhee Resort, which sits just inside the Wyoming state line near Driggs, Idaho. As the resort expands, will Idaho expand its laws to allow Teton County, Idaho, to impose a 2% lodging “user fee” — aka tax.

Idaho Wants To Charge Tax For Impact Of Wyoming Tourists

Teton County, Idaho, wants a 2% fee on short-term rentals as the Grand Targhee resort expansion in Alta, Wyoming, promises millions in tax revenue for Wyoming. The Idaho side of the Jackson-Driggs community will get little lodging tax benefits.

David MadisonSeptember 16, 2025

Off-roaders are flocking to places like Evanston, which will likely benefit from recent ORV rule change before the Wyoming Transportation Commission.

WYDOT Rule Change Could Transform Off-Road Vehicle Access in Evanston, Across Wyoming

On Monday, the Wyoming Department of Transportation held a public hearing to announce and take public comment about a rule change that will allow off-road vehicles to cross interstates and better connect trail networks.

David MadisonSeptember 15, 2025

After nearly a decade of litigation, a developer who wants to open an export terminal in Oakland, Californi, expects a state Supreme Court ruling by Oct. 1. If upheld, the terminal could be a West Coast port to ship Wyoming coal to overseas markets.

​California Terminal Project Ruling Could Open Coal Export Markets For Wyoming

After nearly a decade of litigation, a developer who wants to open an export terminal in Oakland, California, expects a state Supreme Court ruling by Oct. 1. If upheld, the terminal could be a West Coast port to ship Wyoming coal to overseas markets.

David MadisonSeptember 14, 2025

He invented a religion, was relentlessly bullied and died too young at 34 last month. To know Josh Saunders — YouTube’s viral gothic KingCobra — is to scroll through a troubled existence documented in video after video viewed more than 20 million times.

How A Bullied Casper Kid Went Viral As The Internet’s Gothic KingCobra

He invented a religion, was relentlessly bullied and died too young at 34 last month. To know Josh Saunders — YouTube’s viral gothic KingCobra — is to scroll through a troubled existence documented in video after video which have been viewed more than 20 million times.

David MadisonSeptember 14, 2025

Back when there was no speed limit in Montana, highways there were known as the “Montana-bahn.” Then along came a stubborn cattle hustler from Wyoming named Rudy “Butch” Stanko, whose lead foot and hard head brought the no-speed limit era to an end.

Rudy “Butch” Stanko: The Wyoming Maverick Who Ended Montana’s No Speed Limit Era

Back when there was no speed limit in Montana, highways there were known as the “Montanabahn.” Then along came a stubborn cattle hustler from Wyoming named Rudy “Butch” Stanko, whose lead foot and hard head inadvertently brought the no-speed limit era to an end.

David MadisonSeptember 13, 2025

The first vehicle travels over a rebuilt temporary fix for the collapsed section of Teton Pass.

New And Improved Teton Pass Commute Connects Two Teton Counties In Two States

Teton Counties in Wyoming and Idaho are connected by Teton Pass, a lifeline between the two communities in two states that depend on each other. Having the pass closed for three weeks last year highlighted the need for more transportation options.

David MadisonSeptember 10, 2025

A dragline moves coal at the Black Butte mine in Sweetwater County.

Black Butte Mine Expansion Approved After Years of Federal Delays

The Department of the Interior on Tuesday has approved access to 9.2 million tons of federal coal at the Black Butte mine near Rock Springs. It comes after years of federal delays and allows a return to full-scale mining.

David MadisonSeptember 10, 2025

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