Wyo. representatives clash with EPA

Historically speaking Wyoming is notorious for dragging its heels when faced with federal regulations and policy, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan to cut carbon emissions is proving no different.

The proposed EPA plans would press the use of renewable energy as well as restrictions on carbon pollution amounts from power plants on states in the name of remedying global climate change, according to a fact sheet found on the EPA website.

Currently Wyoming has no carbon emissions controls of its own. Governor Matt Mead claims that the restrictions would “stifle innovation, stifle technology and stifle an industry.”

Wyoming Representative Charles Pelkey (D-HD45) said that he disagrees with the governor’s stance, and that emission caps would be better for the environment and diminish the threat of global climate change as he believes there to be a consensus on the issue within the scientific community. He also said the vitality of coal is “not going to be that way forever, we need to plan to prepare Wyoming’s economy for that.”

Mead, who has clashed with the EPA in the past, believes that the agency’s Clean Power Plan jeopardizes much of the Wyoming economy and that Wyoming legislators are acting appropriately to support their home state.

Mead claims that the EPA inadequately analyzed Wyoming in regards to its status as a major energy producer when coming up with their energy policies. He stands in staunch opposition to the EPA’s proposed regulatory policies and asserts that as they are considered, his office will vocalize disagreement. Should the policies be enacted, his office will investigate legal action in reaction.

Collin Shelton, treasurer of the College Republicans at UW, agrees with the governor that the proposed regulations are an economic issue.

“Any regulations that are forced upon us would more than likely be a detriment to the Wyoming economy,” Shelton said. “They would not be tailored to it.”

Devin Bingham, a UW student majoring in Social Work, believes that Wyoming should do its part to reduce climate change, but that too much regulation in the area could mean trouble for Wyoming.

“We should play our part in minimizing our impact on global climate change,” Bingham said, “but restricting the Wyoming energy output would ultimately be a bad thing in the long run.”