Western Research Institute, Growing in Laramie!
Western Research Institute (WRI), located in Laramie, Wyoming, is a multi-million dollar, not-for-profit, research organization renowned for work in advanced energy systems, environmental technologies and highway materials research. Its corporate headquarters is located on the University of Wyoming campus and its 22-acre Advanced Technology Center (ATC), situated north of town, provides additional laboratories, plus pilot facilities and room for new development.
WRI is a research institute with broad perspectives and know-how in science, technology and real-world, on-the-ground conditions. WRI's highly experienced team offer expertise from fields such as chemical, petroleum and environmental engineering, organic, physical, analytical and inorganic chemistry, geology, soil science, business administration and economics.
Since 1924 WRI's focus and contributions to Wyoming, the Rocky Mountain region, and the United States have evolved as the issues and priorities of the times have changed. According to Don Collins, WRI's Chief Executive Officer and LEDC Board Member, "WRI's core mission is to further the educational, research, developmental and public service objectives of the University of Wyoming, and carry out scientific research to aid Wyoming, the Rocky Mountain Region and the U.S. by attracting new industry as well as encouraging development and retention of existing industries. Everyone at WRI is dedicated to making a positive meaningful difference to our community, state, country and planet."
Local Economic Impact
The Wyoming Business Council recently completed an economic and revenue study that found WRI is responsible for the following economic impacts within our community.
- Employment - WRI directly and indirectly supports 182 jobs in the local economy. The Institute's staff of 76 includes scientists, engineers, UW student interns, and administrative professionals.
- Personal Income - WRI, a $13.5 million corporation, directly and indirectly supports a payroll of $8,942,000 in the local economy. This figure represents total sales or Gross Local Product (similar to Gross National Product).
- Output - WRI's impact on the local economy is $21,602,228 in terms of total output.
- Households - supports 141 households in the local community.
- Enrollment - supports student enrollment of 43 children in Albany County School District 1.
- Local Tax Revenues - supports $313,057 in property and sales taxes each year.
- State Tax Revenues - supports $194,781 in sales and severance taxes.
State and National Research
WRI's energy technology research efforts are targeted to achieve the vision of economically and environmentally sustainable processes that move Wyoming up the "value chain" of energy. A critical example is WRI's pioneering technologies for "clean and green coal."
One innovative WRI technology enhances conventional pulverized coal power plant efficiency by 3-5% while also reducing regional water consumption by 50-60% and capturing mercury, arsenic and selenium. In addition, increased coal plant efficiency results in an annual reduction of 60 to 100 million tons of CO2 emissions per power plant.
A second technology is Powder River Basin (PRB) Coal Upgrading, which increases PRB coal's energy value from about 8,000 Btu/lb to 11,500 Btu/lb, while removing approximately 75% of the mercury and substantial amounts of arsenic and selenium prior to use at the power plant. The water from the process is clean enough to meet Wyoming irrigation, livestock and mine operation needs. This technology will raise the value of PRB coal in a way that will also increase severance revenue to the state of Wyoming.
A Cooperative Agreement with the Department of Energy is at the core of WRI's energy and environmental research. Commercial contracts and cooperative efforts with industry and other government entities have been largely responsible for the 55% increase in revenue WRI has enjoyed over the last five years.
WRI is also recognized for its expertise in extending the life cycle of public roads both in the U.S. and internationally. Under contracts with the Federal Highway Administration and Department of Transportation, innovations are literally "hitting the road," yielding substantial savings and return on the nation's investment. The Petersen Asphalt Research Conference has convened nearly 100 participants in Laramie each summer for more than 45 years. The conference began with WRI's earliest incarnation as the U.S. Bureau of Mines.
State Policy Impact
Governor Freudenthal invited Don Collins to serve on the steering committee for the Energy Industry Skilled Trades Workforce Initiative, organized to address a critical shortfall in worker training for high-paying energy jobs.
WRI has teamed with the governor's office to develop a policy to reduce the environmental footprint of proposed high voltage transmission corridors carrying electricity out of Wyoming. WRI contributed to the development of Wyoming's strategy for applying federal stimulus funds under the State Energy Program and Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant program.
"Participating on state teams and at events, such as the Green Harvest Festival in Wheatland and the Jackson Hole Energy Sustainability Summit, enables WRI to fulfill its charter to support Wyoming industries and economic activities", Mr. Collins said. Such participation also provides insights into the issues and changes important to Wyoming to better guide WRI's R&D pursuits.
WRI at Work in the Laramie Community
Though WRI's participation in the Laramie community is quiet and sometimes easy to overlook, it is sustained year in and year out.
WRI's 70+ employees have earned the Gold Award from United Way of Albany County for 9 years (before that, they were Silver). The American Cancer Society Relay for Life has been a signature event on the WRI community calendar for over a decade. WRI employees have contributed to the Albany County Department of Family Services Community Holidays Program and were a top team for Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids' Sake for over 20 years.
Other entities WRI supports include the State Science Fair, the UW Science Posse, the Art Museum Festival of Trees, the Always a Cowboy 8K, the Laramie Greenbelt, the Laramie Soup Kitchen and Lincoln Community Center. WRI works to support causes that extend out of Albany County as well. No one could have planned for the devastation in Haiti. WRI employees, however, quickly put together a $1,700 gift to aid relief efforts. In fact, "corporate citizenship" is a WRI value that's included in the Institute's strategic planning.
For more information on WRI and its programs, please visit www.westernresearch.org