Could Wyoming be green energy central?

A legislative committee may consider mandates for local utilities to rely on renewable energy resources as part of their fuel "portfolios." But some say Wyoming’s bigger role might be to become the West’s major exporter of electricity generated from wind, biomass and other so-called green energy resources.

By DUSTIN BLEIZEFFER Star-Tribune energy reporter

The Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Interim Committee is considering a renewable energy proposal left over from the recently idled Wyoming Energy Commission. During hearings in Casper on Wednesday, the committee learned that Gov. Dave Freudenthal is reviewing elements of the proposal, too.

"The governor encourages you to pursue this," said Steve Waddington, energy advisor to the governor’s office.

The state could mandate "Renewable Portfolio Standards" to local distribution utilities and government offices themselves. Such standards require that a certain amount of electricity be generated by a renewable energy source.

The Powder River Basin Resource Council recommended that the state mandate a 10 percent standard by 2010 and a 20 percent standard by 2020, for example.

While committee members mull exact mandates, they are also considering how the state could cash in on the growing movement toward Renewable Portfolio Standards. Waddington said several states have already imposed such mandates. California for example has a goal of making renewable energy 20 percent of its source of electricity.

"With the change in leadership to the Republicans, it is unlikely that Congress will include something like (portfolio standards) in the energy bill. But once there is a federal mandate, everyone will be chasing after renewable sources," Waddington said. "We could become renewable central."

This past session, the Legislature exempted sales tax on equipment used to construct renewable facilities such as wind turbines. Waddington said the governor agrees that other tax incentives might be needed to establish a renewable energy industry in the state, but the state would have to consider some type of tax on renewables once they’ve been firmly rooted.

"The governor believes it makes sense not to do that immediately, but to consider a transition," Waddington said.

Gillian Malone of the Powder River Basin Resource Council agreed that Wyoming seems to have a window of opportunity to get into the renewable energy business.

"The timing is optimal for this type of legislation. It just makes sense to get in on the ground level," Malone said.

John Kennedy, of Kennedy Oil in Gillette, noted that the Bureau of Land Management seems very reluctant to allow anything that infringes on viewsheds, so the state might not have to worry about the federal government edging in on wind energy in Wyoming.

"The state lands office ought to love that," he said.

A representative of the Wyoming State Lands Office said indeed it is trying to attract a major wind project on state land near the Tie Siding area, but that would come from federal incentives.

Currently, Wyoming generates about 140 megawatts of electricity from wind energy.

http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2003/05/22/news/wyoming/62f13db75bef26876969ef97d7a3ffdb.txt