House and Senate Proceed with Measures
to Push Back on Burdensome EPA Regulations
February 12, 2014
Cheyenne, Wyoming
— The House and
Senate approved introduction today of two key measures that push back on
burdensome regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which threaten
Wyoming’s economy, jobs and revenues.
The House voted to move forward with the introduction of House Bill 78
(HB78), sponsored by Representative David Miller (HD-55). The bill empowers the
Governor of Wyoming, through the Attorney General, to take action against the
overreach of the EPA. The Obama Administration continues to use the agency to
skirt the federal legislative process and enact rules and regulations that have
a devastating impact on energy producing states such as Wyoming.
“The war on coal being waged by the Obama Administration has
already had detrimental impacts on energy production in Wyoming, and things
only stand to get worse,” said Representative Miller. “The EPA continues to
thwart the development of coal, natural gas and our access to public lands.”
“Mineral production drives revenues in Wyoming and it’s our
responsibility to pushback against the continued threat posed by the EPA,”
continued Miller.
Senate
Joint Resolution 1 (SJ1), a resolution requesting Congress to require the EPA
to respect the primacy of Wyoming in developing guidelines for regulating
carbon dioxide emissions, was also cleared for consideration. The resolution is
sponsored by Senator Jim D. Anderson (SD-2) who said the fact this resolution
has garnered so much support during a session focused on the budget shows its
importance.
“It’s been said that we shouldn't fear failure, but we
should fear succeeding at things that don't really matter,” said Senator
Anderson. “This matters. The overreach of the EPA threatens jobs, our economy
and our way of life.
“This resolution is about protecting state's rights and our
ability to determine a lot of our own outcomes,” continued Senator Anderson.
“Not only are we responsible, but we’re capable of guiding our own future.
House Speaker Tom Lubnau voiced support of both measures.
“The decline in mineral development has a direct and
immediate impact on revenue streams in Wyoming,” said House Speaker Tom Lubnau.
“75% of Wyoming’s revenue comes from mineral production, so ensuring a viable
future for the energy sector is our responsibility and essential to a fiscally
sound future.”
House Bill 78 has been referred to the House Minerals Committee
for further consideration. SJ1 is now pending in the Senate Minerals Committee.
