A legislative push to scrap Wyoming’s carbon capture mandate for coal-fired power plants has failed, exposing a split between House and Senate lawmakers.
While seven of eight House members on the Joint Minerals Committee backed the repeal bill, only one of five senators voted in favor, stopping it from advancing.
Utilities report steep costs and uncertain benefits
The mandate, which requires utilities to study carbon capture retrofits, has already cost Wyoming ratepayers millions.
Rocky Mountain Power has spent about $3.9 million; Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power roughly $883,000. Yet both utilities say no affordable, practical solutions have emerged.
Black Hills Energy estimated a retrofit at its Wygen II plant would cost $500 million and reduce output by over 30%.
Relevant: Prometheus Launches 1.2GW Carbon-Neutral Data Center In Wyoming
Despite this, some lawmakers argue the research should continue amid shifting federal climate policies.
“There’s some value in finding out,” said Rocky Mountain Power’s Thom Carter. Rep. Chris Knapp, who led the repeal effort, vowed to reintroduce the bill in the next session, citing rising costs and questionable returns for customers.
For now, Wyoming’s coal carbon capture mandate remains in place.
Read more: 8 Rivers And Wood Team Up On Wyoming Carbon Capture Project
