LITTLETON, Colorado, Sept 11 (Reuters) - A 728-mile (1,172-km) transmission line connecting wind farms in rural Wyoming to power consumers in California and Nevada looks set to reshape Wyoming's reputation from coal stalwart to energy transition lynchpin. Wyoming is by far the largest coal producing state in the United States, accounting for more than 40% of total U.S. coal output in 2021, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Reuters Image Acquire Licensing RightsAs a result, Wyoming has the potential to generate large amounts of wind power that can be exported to more populous areas which lack their own clean energy supplies. RECORD DRIVERThe main engine behind the clean energy that will flow through the TransWest line will be the Chokecherry and Sierra Madre wind energy project, which when completed will be the largest wind farm in the United States. But if the TransWest line can deliver on its promise of efficiently channelling surplus clean power to distant, needy consumers, there is a good chance more such projects will gain the necessary backing.

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Persons: Gavin Maguire, Tom Hogue Organizations: U.S . Energy Information Administration, U.S, Reuters, TransWest, U.S . Department of Energy, TransWest Express, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Wyoming, California, Nevada, . Wyoming, United States, Texas, U.S, California , Arizona, Sierra Madre