Lawmakers hear split views on HB200 and carbon‑capture plans as PSC and utilities update committee

Summary

The Wyoming Public Service Commission and utilities updated the Minerals committee on implementation of the state’s low‑carbon energy statute (HB200). Rocky Mountain Power and Black Hills described FEED and pre‑FEED studies for carbon capture, estimated costs and proposed surcharges; the PSC said initial reporting is under way.

The Minerals interim committee received updates from the Wyoming Public Service Commission and from utilities on implementation of the low‑carbon energy standards established by House Bill 200 and later amendments.

Statute and reporting: LSO staff summarized the statute (Wyo. Stat. 37‑18‑101 et seq.) that directs the Public Service Commission to establish portfolio standards requiring covered utilities to develop “dispatchable and reliable low carbon electricity” from existing coal‑fired units or equivalent new coal units, and describes a rate‑recovery mechanism capped at 2% for prudently incurred incremental costs to comply. The PSC’s chief counsel told the committee the PSC filed a report in 2023 and a new biennial report to the Legislature is expected in June.

PSC and utilities: PSC Chairman Mike Robinson and counsel John Burbridge described rulemaking and filings under HB200. The PSC has adopted rules and is monitoring compliance and reliability metrics. Two Wyoming utilities are within HB200’s scope: Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp) and Black…

Lawmakers hear split views on HB200 and carbon‑capture plans as PSC and utilities update committee

Summary

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