Governor Gordon has signed three bills into law designed to promote and protect Wyoming’s energy products.
House Bill 166 will require public utilities to take additional steps before retiring coal or natural gas plants in the state. Utilities would be required to demonstrate to the Wyoming Public Service Commission that the retirements would not lead to added costs to ratepayers or less reliable electrical service.
Senate File 152 prohibits cities, towns and counties from implementing ordinances or policies that prohibit “the connection or reconnection of an electric, natural gas, propane or other energy utility service provided by a public utility.” The bill protects Wyoming utility customers from having to pay higher rates because of ordinances that might prohibit the use of a specific energy source.
House Bill 189 provides an opportunity for oil producers to utilize natural gas that would normally be flared into the atmosphere for other productive purposes, including cryptocurrency mining.
“It’s the governor’s ultimate goal to keep (carbon capture) moving forward and that our electric grid remains reliable and provides 24-hour dispatchable power,” said Randall Luthi, Chief Energy Advisor for Governor Gordon.