The 2018 Wyoming Budget Session of the 64^th Legislature began today and there are several key bills relating to energy issues that are up before the Cowboy State’s legislature. I will highlight a few here and track them through the session to see how they end up – stay tuned!

All of the Bills before the Wyoming Legislature, and their statuses as the session progresses, can be found here at the House Bills Index/Senate Files Index.

A Few Key Energy Bills Before the Wyoming Legislature:

• Senate File No. 14 – “Biennial Energy Strategy,” Sponsored by the Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development Interim Committee
  • The Introduced Senate File No. 14 can be found here
  • In sum, Senate File No. 14 proposes, among other things:
    • A biennial energy strategy, which means a “coordinated and comprehensive biennial plan that: (A) Includes the activities of agencies, boards and commissions, policy initiatives and other actions aimed at achieving excellence in energy development, production, technological innovation, regulation and stewardship of natural resources for the highest benefit of Wyoming citizens; (B) Includes programs and initiatives intended to increase economic competitiveness, expansion and diversification, to provide for efficient and effective regulation and natural resource conservation, reclamation and mitigation and to develop education, innovation and new technologies; and (C) Identifies appropriate means to complete initiatives and work with agencies, boards, commissions and other interested parties to implement initiatives.”
    • The creation of an energy strategy committee within the governor’s office and assigning duties of the committee
• House Bill No. 104 – “Wind Energy Production Tax,” Sponsored by Representatives Madden and Blackburn and Senator Case
  • The Introduced HB0104 can be found here
  • In sum, House Bill No. 104 is “an Act relating to the tax on production of energy from wind resources; increasing the tax rate; providing for distribution of the tax; repealing an exemption…”
    • In short…this one will be hotly debated!

The Casper Star Tribune also published an article entitled, “What to Watch for at the Wyoming Legislature this Year,” that discusses some other interesting issues before the Legislature this year.

Stay tuned! I will keep you updated on these key energy-related bills!

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