FIFTY-NINTH WYOMING LEGISLATURE

APPROVED INTERIM COMMITTEE STUDIES

2008 INTERIM

  

 

JOINT MINERALS, BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

 

Standard Budget:                 $25,000

 

Priority # 1         Minerals Issues

 

(a.)       Energy Assets, Incentives and Barriers.  With America’s need for energy self-sufficiency and Wyoming’s abundance of energy resources, it is critical that the legislature consider Wyoming’s energy assets, incentives and barriers for development. 

 

            (i)         Clean Coal Technologies.  The development of clean coal technologies in Wyoming continues to be a major priority for Wyoming.  The recent work on carbon capture and sequestration was an important step to help ensure that Wyoming's coal assets are optimized.  The Committee will consider ways to promote and provide incentives for the development of commercial clean coal facilities in Wyoming.

 

            (ii)        Carbon Sequestration.  The Committee will continue the work begun this past session and consider ways to promote and provide incentives for carbon sequestration. [Note: This Study was deleted by Management Council]

 

            (iii)       The Committee will also work on the full range of energy sources including conservation, uranium, wind, water and thermal to determine the best uses of these resources for Wyoming.  The Committee will review and consider technologies implemented by other states.  The Committee will work with the Wyoming Pipeline Authority, the Wyoming Infrastructure Authority, the School of Energy Resources and other appropriate agencies as necessary.

 

(b.)       Coalbed Methane Water Discharge Issues - The Committee will review and consider various issues relating to coalbed methane development as any new issues develop, including the use of water and watershed permitting.  The Committee will work with the Wyoming Pipeline Authority, the Department of Environmental Quality and the State Engineer's Office in considering this issue.

 

(c.)       AML funding Issues.  The Committee will identify the mitigation needs and funding necessary to address and mitigate the remaining abandoned mine lands in Wyoming and make recommendations on the distribution of funds.

 

(d.)      Considerations of gas and oil price differentials.  The Committee will continue work begun this past session on considering the differentials on the price of oil and gas for Wyoming producers compared to other areas of the nation.

 

Priority # 2         Business Issues

 

(a.)       Economic Development Programs.  Over the years, the Wyoming Business Council has been assigned the responsibility of implementing many new economic development programs.  The Committee will review and evaluate the effectiveness and funding of these programs and make recommendations for any necessary statutory changes.

 

(b.)       Timber industry development.  The Committee will consider incentives that may be included in the timber industry, including the potential of combining timber products with coal gasification.

 

Priority # 3         Economic Development Issues

 

(a.)       Workforce housing:  The Committee will closely monitor the development and implementation of the Workforce Housing Infrastructure Program, including the implementation of rules and regulations.  The Committee will work with the Wyoming Community Development Authority and community housing authority to address these issues.    

 

(b.)       Workforce Training, development and recruitment.  Wyoming’s workforce continues to be inadequate to meet the demands of our current economy.  The state does not have a well-defined plan for recruitment, development or training.  The Committee will work with the Joint Education Committee and the Department of Workforce Services on an industry by industry approach.

 

Priority # 4         Other Agency Issues

 

The Committee will consider regular agency topics and issues as time allows:

 

(a.)       Agency issues:

 

            (i)         Public Service Commission.  The Committee will consider necessary changes to the Public Service Commission statues to address pipeline safety and other issues as necessary.

             (ii)        DEQ Landfill risk assessment and monitoring.  The Committee will continue to review and consider the statewide landfill assessment and monitoring issues and consider any necessary legislation required to implement the program.

            (iii)       State lands revolving loan fund account.  The Committee will continue to consider the necessity of creating a revolving loan fund account to cover administrative costs of the state water pollution control revolving loan program.

 

(b.)       Reports.  The Committee will receive and consider agency reports as submitted.

 

Priority # 5         Energy Transportation

 

Examine regulations and communicate with state, multistate and federal regulatory authorities regarding the creation of an energy transportation infrastructure.  [Note: This Study was added by Management Council]

 

Tentative Meeting Schedule.

 

The Committee anticipates three 2-day meetings.