Author Sam Western urges new take on Wyoming's economy

(AP) — Author Sam Western urged a gathering of mostly graduates of local leadership programs to begin a new conversation on Wyoming's economic future.

While Wyoming clings to the energy industry, primarily coal, Western said the rest of the world is working to reduce the amount of carbon-based fuels it uses.

The Sheridan Press reported (http://bit.ly/2ckFbtd) that Western is teaching a class at Sheridan College that focuses on the state's economy.

Western said he is not anti-coal and said he believes coal and carbon-based fuels will continue to be a part of the world's energy portfolio.