Issue Position: Supporting Wind Energy Development

Issue Position

Wyoming's tax structure recently became less friendly to the energy industry for developing an important resource: wind energy. To continue selling to the grid -- including California, one of the largest customers in the western United States -- Wyoming must remain competitive in wind energy development.

States in our target energy export market are requiring renewable portfolio standards to ensure increasing amounts of their power purchases come from renewable energy. The Wyoming Legislature allowed the sales and use tax exemption on equipment used in wind energy projects to expire this year, which is contributing to a slow-down in wind energy development. That puts Wyoming at a competitive disadvantage, and I strongly support reinstating the exemption.

To mitigate the impact on roads and other community resources, I also endorse assessing an impact fee that can be targeted for affected communities. This form of insurance will hold communities harmless for the heavy use of their resources as wind projects are constructed, provide certainty for companies and investors, and benefit Albany County residents and residents statewide by accelerating the development of this valuable and highly desired resource again.

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