Wyoming Law Would Penalize Utilities for Using Renewable Energy

Republican legislators in the state of Wyoming are choosing sides in the energy market—with dire consequences for consumers and the environment.

1 minute read

January 15, 2017, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Wind Turbine

corlaffra / Shutterstock

[Updated January 16, 2017] "A bill proposed by six state lawmakers would charge utilities a penalty if they use wind or solar energy to provide Wyoming consumers with electricity," reports Heather Richards.

"If Senate File 71 were law, there would be six permissible resources for generating electricity for Wyomingites, including natural gas and coal. Wind and solar are not on the list, except for individual use," adds Richards.

Critics of the proposed law are calling it protectionism—and likely ineffective protectionism at that. As Richards explains, "[t]he benefit to Wyoming's producers of traditional fuels like coal is unclear, as two-thirds of Wyoming generated electricity is shipped out of the state already."

The more likely effect of the bill: a tax on wind energy that could raise the price of electricity for consumers as renewable energy becomes more and more competitive with traditional forms of energy.

Zahra Hirji provides an environmentalist take on the proposed law for InsideClimate News.

[The post was updated with the correct name of the state in question.]

Wednesday, January 11, 2017 in Billings Gazette

View of Interstate 205 bridge over Columbia River with Mt. Hood in background.

The Unceremonious Death of a Freeway Expansion Project

The end of an Oregon freeway project didn't get much fanfare, but the victory is worth celebrating.

September 19, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

A derelict sign on a barbed wire fence reads “Golf Course, Private, No Admittance.”

Converting Golf Courses to Housing Never as Easy as the Market Would Like

Thousands of golf courses have closed in recent years, but the obvious redevelopment opportunity represented by many defunct courses isn’t always easy to realize.

September 19, 2023 - The Business Journals

Close-up of red Houston BCycle bike share bikes parked at a station

Houston To End Bike Share Program

Lacking the funding it needs to continue, Houston’s BCycle bike share system will end operations in the coming months.

September 18, 2023 - Houston Chronicle

Close-up of Unalakleet, Alaska on map.

FTA Announces Tribal Transit Program Grants

The agency awarded close to $10 million to 22 communities around the country for transit improvements.

2 hours ago - Mass Transit

View from inside glass top floor of Amtrak passenger train with Rocky Mountains scenery outside.

Making Colorado’s Front Range Rail a Reality

Local leaders are scrambling to bring together the funding and political support to create new intercity rail service in the fast-growing region.

3 hours ago - Governing

Students walking on sunny walkway on college campus.

How College Campuses Fulfill an Urbanist Dream

Most college campuses in the United States are inherently walkable, mixing various uses with diverse housing options and transit networks.

4 hours ago - The Daily

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.