The state and JCOAL have signed a new five-year Memorandum of Understanding that covers shared research and expertise for the coal trade, clean coal solutions and CCUS. An initial MoU with JCOAL, which is part of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, was signed in 2016.

Wyoming and JCOAL are also working on the CCUS project with Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), with the latter proving its solid sorbent capture technology. The ongoing project has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but planning for the construction phase continues.

The MoU's statement of cooperation includes collaboration in areas such as the promotion of technical cooperation, the facilitation of research and development, the development of networks for efficient communication and information exchange, the facilitation of coal exports and sales and other mutually beneficial activities.

Mark Gordon, governor of Wyoming, said: "This MOU reinforces my commitment to working cooperatively to keep coal in the energy mix and continuing our efforts to support carbon capture and sequestration."

Last September, the US Department of Energy completed a CCUS study for several Wyoming coal-fuelled power plants, highlighting the significant benefits of the technology for the state.