Cheyenne, Wyoming
– Leadership of the Wyoming State Legislature cautiously lauded a decision
yesterday from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enact a stay on a
ruling that declared Riverton and surrounding lands are within the borders of
the Wind River Reservation.
Last month the State of Wyoming filed a petition asking the
EPA to reconsider and also stay any implementation of its decision in December
to alter the boundary of the state and Wind River Reservation. In recent weeks
the Northern Arapaho Business Council and the Eastern Shoshone also requested a
stay.
“I’m pleased the EPA has heeded the Attorney General’s call
in issuing a stay,” said Senate President Tony Ross (SD-04). “While the breadth
and scope of the EPA decision is still not entirely known, one thing is certain
– the overreach of the EPA poses a very real threat to Wyoming’s economy, jobs,
energy production and revenues.”
“Bureaucrats in Washington, DC, who have never been to
Wyoming, continue to pass rules and regulations based upon ideals and rumors
that have no relation to what actually happens here in Wyoming,” said House
Speaker Tom Lubnau (HD-31). “The EPA is no exception. While I’m encouraged the
EPA has issued a stay, the battle is not over. Wyoming must have the resources
it needs to rein in the EPA and protect mineral production.”
While the stay delays implementation of the ruling, it does
not change the ruling. Wyoming Attorney General Peter Michael filed an appeal this morning before the 10th Circuit
Court of Appeals challenging the ruling.
Earlier this week, the House and Senate approved
introduction today of two key measures that push back on burdensome regulations
from the EPA. HouseBill 78 (HB78), sponsored by Representative David Miller (HD-55), empowers
the Governor of Wyoming, through the Attorney General, to take action against
the overreach of the EPA. Senate Joint Resolution 1 (SJ1), sponsored by Senator Jim D. Anderson (SD-2), calls on Congress
to require the EPA to respect the primacy of Wyoming in developing guidelines
for regulating carbon dioxide emissions, was also cleared for consideration.
