Committee approves study of energy sector’s economic impact; Energy Authority and School of Energy to produce report by Oct. 1, 2025

Senate File 138, an energy‑impact study sponsored by Senator Dan Dockstader, received a do‑pass recommendation from the Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee after a hearing in which members and the Wyoming Energy Authority described the bill as a data‑gathering measure to quantify the energy sector’s economic contribution to Wyoming.

What the bill requires

Dockstader said the bill tasks the Wyoming Energy Authority, with backup from the University of Wyoming’s School of Energy Resources, to assemble ten years of mineral and energy production data, regional breakdowns, employment counts, state and local tax revenues and other economic impacts. The bill establishes an October 1, 2025 deadline for completion and requires participating state agencies and higher‑education partners to cooperate.

Sponsor rationale and key figures

“Why? Because it's jobs, it's people employed, it's our communities,” Senator Dan Dockstader said, explaining his motivation to measure the sector’s full economic footprint. Dockstader cited preliminary figures in testimony indicating roughly 2,397 workers and noted prior investments and leveraged dollars in the industry; he urged a single, authoritative compilation of those metrics to inform state and local leaders.

WEA readiness and scope

Rob Krieger, executive director of the Wyoming Energy Authority, told the committee WEA is able to run the study without additional appropriation and will partner with state agencies and the School of Energy Resources. Krieger described WEA as a “quasi‑state entity” with a seven‑member industry‑based board and said the office planned to produce a report that would be usable by local communities and legislators.

Committee discussion and dissemination

Representatives asked whether the October 1 deadline was feasible; Dockstader and Krieger said partners believed it was. Members discussed distributing the results to counties, municipal officials, and the public through press events and outreach so local leaders could use region‑specific findings for economic planning.

Committee action

A motion to recommend Senate File 138 do pass was moved by Vice Chair Tarver and seconded by Representative Lolli. The roll‑call vote recorded seven ayes and two members excused; the committee recommended the bill be forwarded with a do‑pass recommendation.

Ending

The committee approved the study requirement without an additional fiscal note; sponsors and WEA said they would produce the October 1, 2025 report and work with counties and stakeholders to present the findings.