Star-Tribune Editorial Board

Two pieces of news this week give more reason for optimism about Wyoming's future.

In spite of the recession, plans are moving forward for two big, high-tech projects in our state: the National Center for Atmospheric Research's supercomputer, and the General Electric/University of Wyoming coal-gasification plant.

The former is an $80 million facility to be built near Cheyenne. It will house one of the world's most powerful computers to be used for climate modeling. Construction could begin as early as this fall.

The latter is a $120 million project to develop technology to use Wyoming's high-moisture coal in a more environmentally friendly fashion - and help assure a future for the state's coal industry. Finalists for the plant are Campbell, Laramie and Goshen counties. The project is scheduled for completion in 2011.

Both projects will create high-paying, permanent jobs, in addition to hundreds of construction jobs. Both also promise to help in the state's quest for economic diversity. The GE/UW plant will bring new options to the dominant energy sector, while the supercomputer could launch a coveted high-tech industry outside energy.

These are projects worthy of state support - and celebration.

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Our view

Wyoming's future looks all the brighter with the addition of the National Center for Atmospheric Research's supercomputer, and the General Electric/University of Wyoming coal-gasification plant.

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Editorial Board

Nathan Bekke, publisher

Chad Baldwin, editor

Kerry Drake, opinion editor

Sally Ann Shurmur, community news editor

Ron Gullberg, managing editor