Majority Applauds EPA Stay on Wind River Reservation Decision

February 14, 2014

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.

House Approves Introduction of Bill to Protect People’s Power During Constitutional Convention

February 13, 2014

The House approved introduction today of House Bill 27 (HB 27), which provides limits on the authority of delegates to a constitutional convention -- ensuring delegates represent the will of the people of Wyoming.  The bill is sponsored by House Speaker Tom Lubnau (HD-31), Representative David Miller (HD-55) and Senator Eli Bebout (SD-26).

Article V of the U.S. Constitution outlines the processes by which the Constitution may be altered, one of which is a national convention. HB 47 would strip a delegate of their authority should they fail to carry out the will of the people of Wyoming.

Chairman Lubnau made the following remarks regarding HB 27.

“For ten years in this body we have worked to minimize the federal government intrusion into the lives of the people of the State of Wyoming. The Feds actions become bolder and more intrusive every year. Like the frog in the pan of water, the feds are slowly turning up the heat on our state government to the point where it will not have any authority … Bureaucrats, who have never been to Wyoming, pass rules and regulations based upon ideals and rumors that have no relation to what happens here in Wyoming. I am always amazed at the audacity. Do they think Wyoming is the way it is by accident?”

“HB 27, if passed by a number of states, would ensure that delegates to a convention called to propose an Amendment to the U.S. Constitution would be faithful to the limits imposed by the states that called it … All this bill does is remove the authority of a Constitutional Convention delegate if that delegate acts outside the authority granted by this body. It is a bill to prevent betrayal of the people of Wyoming if a Constitutional Convention is ever called.”

Wyoming Legislature Takes on EPA

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.