Under Senate File 71, only six resources—coal, hydroelectric, nuclear, oil, natural gas, and net metering systems such as rooftop solar or backyard wind projects—are considered "eligible" generating resources. Electric utilities will have one year to be 95 percent compliant with the approved resources and 100 percent compliant by 2019.
This bill was filed last Tuesday on the first day of the Wyoming's 2017 legislative session. Its sponsors, who largely come from top coal counties, include climate change deniers such as Rep. Scott Clem who once said, "I don't believe that CO2 is a pollutant, and am furious of the EPA's overreach."
This bill is an outrage, an obvious kowtow to Big Fossil Fuel and a slap in the face of all Wyoming residents. It limits their ability to rely on renewable energy by forbidding utility companies to harness wind and solar energy unless they pay a harsh penalty. They would have no choice but to pass that cost on to their customers. The real motive, no doubt, is to make renewable energy - except for rooftop solar panels and "backyard" wind turbines - more costly than polluting fossil fuel.
The entire country needs to move forwards, not backwards, on energy. Renewable energy is the future. Fossil fuel is limited, and will run out sooner or later. Besides, residents of Wyoming - indeed, of all states - have the right to use renewable energy, which is becoming cheaper and more practical.
We the undersigned ask that you oppose Senate File 71, which limits Wyoming residents' access to clean renewable energy. This bill is just a kowtow to fossil fuel interests. Wyoming, along with the rest of the country, needs to move forward on energy, not backwards.
