Utility: Prepare for outages

A strong winter storm expects to hit western Wyoming prompted Rocky Mountain Power Friday to issue a statement saying it was preparing for possible power outages from wind, snow and ice.

"Crews and managers will be on full duty through the day Saturday (and beyond if weather conditions warrant) at all its Utah, Idaho and Wyoming locations," the press release said. "Having the crews already on duty will enable quick response to any outages that may occur during the storm in these normally after-hours time frames."

Rocky Mountain Power is Wyoming's largest electrical utility.

"High winds can be a source of significant damage as storm fronts approach," the release said. "Wind, rain, snow and ice can cause downed lines and damaged equipment which can cause outages to customers."

The company said it encourages its customers to prepare for any possible outages by having an emergency kit available and an emergency plan in place.

County joins state petition

CODY - Park County has joined the state in filing a petition in federal court seeking a review of the winter-use plan for Yellowstone National Park.

The petition was filed this week in U.S. District Court in Cheyenne by Park County Attorney Bryan Skoric on behalf of the five-member Board of County Commissioners. It largely mirrors one filed Dec. 13 by the Wyoming attorney general's office.

The petition claims that the Park Service failed to provide sufficient analysis for Sylvan Pass management; that the plan "arbitrarily and capriciously reduces the number of snowmobile entries"; and that the requirement for a commercial guide for snowmobile riders amounts to a "de facto tax or unauthorized fee."

The petition comes as the county, state and city of Cody are negotiating with the Park Service to develop a safe, affordable avalanche management plan to reliably keep Sylvan Pass open.

A tight Park Service budget was a legitimate reason to consider closing Sylvan Pass, said Tim Stevens, Yellowstone program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association in Livingston.

The NPCA in November filed a petition seeking a review of the same winter-use decision, arguing that the Park Service's studies have found that snow coaches offer the best option for preserving the park for future generations, and that snowmobiles should be banned.

Park will host geyser experts

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - More than 100 scientists and educators from the United States and abroad will gather Thursday in Yellowstone National Park to share their findings on the biology and chemistry of geysers, hot springs, mud pots and steam vents.

Organizer Bill Inskeep, of Montana State University, says some of the best-known and most active researchers in Yellowstone geothermal biology and geochemistry will attend the conference at the Mammoth Hotel. It begins Thursday and continues through Sunday.