By Rana Jones
Kemmerer Gazette
Via- Wyoming News Exchange
KEMMERER — In the wake of recent layoffs at the Kemmerer coal mine, TriSight unveiled its plans for coal repurposing at a community gathering at Diamondville Town Hall last month.
At the meeting, founder and CEO Brad Barham discussed the alternative uses for coal the company intends to introduce and addressed environmental concerns.
He emphasized TriSight’s commitment to Lincoln County, highlighting the company’s partnership with the region.
“We have a unique partnership with Lincoln County,” he said, noting that the company was formed to explore alternative applications for coal.
Acknowledging the growing perception of coal as an obsolete and environmentally harmful resource, Barham said he hopes to challenge these views.
To support its initiative, TriSight has acquired land near the Naughton coal-fired power plant. Among its planned ventures is a coal-derived skincare line, along with projects targeting agricultural nutrients, livestock health solutions, and land regeneration efforts.
“It’s pretty simple, take the C out,” Barham explained, referring to the company’s approach to carbon reduction. He noted that removing carbon from CO2 leaves only oxygen behind.
Despite his Silicon Valley roots, Barham expressed a strong connection to coal. He asserted that there are power plants that remain reliant on coal for direct energy production and hopes Rocky Mountain Power and PacifiCorp will continue using it.
Cofounder and COO Garry Spencer addressed the question of why Kemmerer was chosen for the company’s operations.
“This area is unique in many ways. It is a crossroads between the east and west,” he said.
He highlighted the area’s advantageous railway system, electricity grid, and fiber optic infrastructure as factors supporting the company’s location decision.
Barham praised Kemmerer’s coal, attributing its richness to the presence of Fossil Butte.
“We love Kemmerer coal, and we are not going anywhere,” he stated.
While acknowledging some resistance from local planning and zoning authorities, he insisted that coal is not inherently harmful when not burned. He noted that TriSight’s Rexburg, Idaho, plant already uses Kemmerer coal.
One of TriSight’s flagship projects is a process that transforms coal into organic components for cosmetics and body care. Barham described the approach as a “coal to organics” method that avoids combustion, instead using pyrolysis to extract valuable elements with zero emissions. Pyrolysis is a chemical recycling process that decomposes organic materials at high temperatures in an oxygen-free environment. According to Barham, the process allows for the extraction of humic and fulvic acid — key ingredients in skincare products.
TriSight plans to establish its primary processing hub in Kemmerer.
Barham underscored his desire to keep the Kemmerer mine operational and intends to source local Willow Springs water for the facility. He assured the community that coal-derived products for skincare and soil applications are safe.
“The future of green energy is happening in Wyoming,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting.”
TriSight’s vision includes multiple product lines: coal to soil, coal to skincare, coal to carbon, and coal to community.
Plans are underway to construct a soil production facility in Idaho, with the goal of producing 140 tons per month. Barham assured that the process would be dust-free, as no coal combustion would occur.
“It is one of the cleanest labs you will see,” he said, explaining that coal would remain in solid form through a vortex process.
While funding is in place, Barham acknowledged ongoing challenges related to water and sewage infrastructure. He admitted that TriSight currently lacks the necessary permits but are working on solutions, including a mobile wastewater treatment unit.
“There is an ‘if’ on whether we can get that done in time, but we will definitely be moving dirt this summer,” Barham said.
The planned facility will prioritize local hiring, contributing to job creation in the region. Barham also introduced the concept of a carbon impact center, which would serve as a hub for coal innovation in Lincoln County.
