NEWS RELEASE
Majority of the Wyoming LegislatureFebruary 27, 2019
Contact: Representative Mike Greear
House Minerals, Business & Economic Development Chair
Mike.Greear@wyoleg.gov
***Joint Op-Ed for Statewide Distribution***
Wyoming’s Oil & Gas Regulations Must Reflect Industry of Today, Opportunities of Tomorrow
The history of oil and gas production in Wyoming runs deep. Native Americans utilized oil in a variety of ways in their daily lives. The first commercial oil well in Wyoming was drilled near present-day Lander in 1883. By the 1920s, Casper had earned the moniker “Oil City,” as its economy centered around oil production and refining.
Today, oil and gas production plays an important role in the Wyoming economy. State budgets rise and fall with the price of a barrel of oil and hard-working families from Pinedale to Cheyenne put food on their tables thanks to paychecks earned toiling in the oil and gas fields that dot the Wyoming landscape. To that end, it is imperative the state recognize the importance of supporting oil and gas as a bedrock industry in Wyoming while also balancing the need to mitigate impacts on our natural resources and ensure private property rights continue to be held in high regard.
As the 65th General Session of the Wyoming Legislature commenced last month, it became increasingly clear we needed to take an in-depth, comprehensive look at oil and gas statutes and regulations at the state level. We have tackled several issues on a case by case basis – including the consolidation of the State Energy Office, Wyoming Pipeline Authority and Wyoming Infrastructure Authority into a one-stop Wyoming Energy Authority. The time is right for a more holistic approach when it comes to addressing oil and gas regulations as well.
As Chairs of the Joint Interim Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee, and in conjunction with Governor Mark Gordon and the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, we are announcing plans for an interim study of Wyoming’s oil and gas statutes and regulations with the intention of modernizing the state’s laws to better align with industry practices and the needs of all parties involved.
Given that the oil and gas industry has changed markedly over the past several years, with advances in technology, changes in public policy and the increasing importance of global factors in production and sales, it is critical the Wyoming Legislature work in tandem with private and public sector partners on a comprehensive approach that modernizes our laws. Addressing oil and gas statutes and regulations as an interim topic will allow us to take a deep dive into these issues without the time constraints placed on policymakers during the legislative session.
We often hear from those interested in diversifying the economy that one of the biggest hindrances to growth is arcane government regulations. And while the Legislature has acted to remedy this in other industries like banking, healthcare and agriculture, we continue to lag behind when it comes to oil and gas production. Technological advances have made the industry far safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly. Our regulatory framework should recognize these facts, becoming more responsive and solidifying the rights of surface property owners.
As lawmakers, we are committed to getting this right. The stakes are just too high for our economy, our communities and the safety and well-being of Wyoming citizens.
In the interim, the Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee will develop a robust schedule of meetings and discussion topics with a goal of crafting a strategic overhaul of the regulatory and legal framework concerning oil and gas operations in Wyoming. This endeavor will require heavy lifting from many including legislators, the executive branch, private industry, the nonprofit sector, landowners and interested members of the public. Dialogue will be key and compromise inevitable but, in the end, we hope to have a Wyoming that is better suited to move oil and gas production into the future.
Representative Mike Greear (HD-27) is Chairman of the House Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee. Senator Jim Anderson (SD-28) is Chairman of the Senate Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee. The Legislative Service Office provides email notifications of Interim Committee Meetings. To sign up for alerts, visit: https://public.govdelivery.
Today, oil and gas production plays an important role in the Wyoming economy. State budgets rise and fall with the price of a barrel of oil and hard-working families from Pinedale to Cheyenne put food on their tables thanks to paychecks earned toiling in the oil and gas fields that dot the Wyoming landscape. To that end, it is imperative the state recognize the importance of supporting oil and gas as a bedrock industry in Wyoming while also balancing the need to mitigate impacts on our natural resources and ensure private property rights continue to be held in high regard.
As the 65th General Session of the Wyoming Legislature commenced last month, it became increasingly clear we needed to take an in-depth, comprehensive look at oil and gas statutes and regulations at the state level. We have tackled several issues on a case by case basis – including the consolidation of the State Energy Office, Wyoming Pipeline Authority and Wyoming Infrastructure Authority into a one-stop Wyoming Energy Authority. The time is right for a more holistic approach when it comes to addressing oil and gas regulations as well.
As Chairs of the Joint Interim Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee, and in conjunction with Governor Mark Gordon and the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, we are announcing plans for an interim study of Wyoming’s oil and gas statutes and regulations with the intention of modernizing the state’s laws to better align with industry practices and the needs of all parties involved.
Given that the oil and gas industry has changed markedly over the past several years, with advances in technology, changes in public policy and the increasing importance of global factors in production and sales, it is critical the Wyoming Legislature work in tandem with private and public sector partners on a comprehensive approach that modernizes our laws. Addressing oil and gas statutes and regulations as an interim topic will allow us to take a deep dive into these issues without the time constraints placed on policymakers during the legislative session.
We often hear from those interested in diversifying the economy that one of the biggest hindrances to growth is arcane government regulations. And while the Legislature has acted to remedy this in other industries like banking, healthcare and agriculture, we continue to lag behind when it comes to oil and gas production. Technological advances have made the industry far safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly. Our regulatory framework should recognize these facts, becoming more responsive and solidifying the rights of surface property owners.
As lawmakers, we are committed to getting this right. The stakes are just too high for our economy, our communities and the safety and well-being of Wyoming citizens.
In the interim, the Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee will develop a robust schedule of meetings and discussion topics with a goal of crafting a strategic overhaul of the regulatory and legal framework concerning oil and gas operations in Wyoming. This endeavor will require heavy lifting from many including legislators, the executive branch, private industry, the nonprofit sector, landowners and interested members of the public. Dialogue will be key and compromise inevitable but, in the end, we hope to have a Wyoming that is better suited to move oil and gas production into the future.
Representative Mike Greear (HD-27) is Chairman of the House Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee. Senator Jim Anderson (SD-28) is Chairman of the Senate Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee. The Legislative Service Office provides email notifications of Interim Committee Meetings. To sign up for alerts, visit: https://public.govdelivery.
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