Wyoming Governor Signs Landmark Carbon Sequestration Legislation

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Calling the state’s effort to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for carbon capture and sequestration “groundbreaking,” Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal today signed House Bill 89 and 90 (HEA 18 and 25) in a formal signing in the Capitol Rotunda.

“We have surveyed through both the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, as well as other sources, and it is clear that these two pieces of legislation are the most comprehensive, most thorough pieces passed by any legislature in the country,” Freudenthal said.

The Governor was joined at the signing by Senate President John Schiffer, House Speaker Roy Cohee, Sen. Tony Ross, Rep. Ed Buchanan, Rep. Tom Lubnau and Rep. Mary Throne.

Lubnau noted that the bills were a result of nine months of hard work by state agencies, the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Executive Branch, the University of Wyoming, the leadership of both the House and Senate, the Joint Judiciary Committee and many others.

“Whether you believe in global warming or not, the political and economic realities have changed, and Wyoming needs to adapt to those changes,” Lubnau said. “With the signing of these two bills today, Wyoming puts itself in the forefront of carbon sequestration legislation. This is a forward-thinking approach to protect both Wyoming’s economy and Wyoming’s environment.”

He said the state’s ability to get things done through cooperation between the Legislature and the Executive Branch is remarkable.

“From conception to signature on the bills is a perfect example of what’s marvelous in this state,” Lubnau said.

Senate President John Schiffer echoed Rep. Lubnau’s comments about how the state’s government can get things done quickly.

“I agree with Tom, that is what makes this a great state,” Schiffer said. “I’m not going to go into political parties, but it’s two minds coming together and making something work, making it work quickly, and making it work right. It is a great compliment to the state and particularly to the Legislature.”

Schiffer said the state’s effectiveness is the envy of other states whose legislatures move much more slowly. “The other thing I’ve noticed in dealing with other states, specifically California, is our ability to move quickly and come together in a bipartisan effort to get something done, they just simply can’t believe it. They would still be looking for the lead pencil to write the notice that the bill might be taken up some day, if we were in some other state and we are going to put that Hummer to bed very shortly.”

Earlier this year, Freudenthal told the Joint Judiciary Interim Committee that the Wyoming Legislature had an opportunity to lead the nation in regulating long-term carbon capture and sequestration. Sen. Tony Ross, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said today that he is proud of the body’s achievement.

“I would’ve never thought we could’ve gotten it all done,” Ross said. “When we received the notice at Management Council from the Governor, my jaw dropped. I thought, ‘Oh my Lord, what are we taking on?’ But we put a lot of effort into it and I just compliment our committee members for all the hard work.”

House Bill 89/HEA 18 recognizes that surface owners control the underground pore spaces where carbon dioxide could be stored or sequestered. Its companion, House Bill 90/HEA 25, gives the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality the authority to regulate the long-term storage of carbon dioxide.

Neither of the two bills signed today will interfere with enhanced oil recovery efforts in Wyoming that will remain subject to regulation by the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

Source: Wyoming Governor

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