Bill Description

AN ACT relating to environmental quality; providing legislative findings; specifying that carbon dioxide is not a pollutant and is a beneficial substance; providing policy statements of the state associated with carbon dioxide; repealing low-carbon energy standard requirements; repealing conflicting provisions; making conforming amendments; specifying applicability; requiring reimbursement to utility customers as specified; requiring rulemaking; and providing for an effective date.

Notes

SF92 is a common sense bill that will help maintain the environmental health of Wyoming by recognizing that:

- Carbon dioxide is a foundational nutrient necessary for all life on earth. Plants need carbon dioxide along with sunlight, water and nutrients to prosper. The more carbon dioxide available for this, the better life can flourish;

- The carbon cycle, where carbon dioxide is reused and transferred between the atmosphere and organisms on earth, is a biological necessity for life on earth;

- Agricultural production worldwide is outpacing population growth and breaking production records primarily due to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide;

- More carbon dioxide allows plants to better resist drought by using water more efficiently;

- Carbon dioxide levels are currently at approximately four hundred twenty (420) parts per million, which is at near‑historically low concentrations. The current carbon dioxide levels are one‑sixth (1/6) of the average of two thousand six hundred (2,600) parts per million over geologic time;

- It is estimated that carbon dioxide levels need to exceed one hundred fifty (150) parts per million to ensure the survival of plant life on earth;

- The earth needs carbon dioxide to support life and to increase plant yields, both of which will contribute to the health and prosperity of all Wyoming citizens.

In establishing these important facts, SF92 sets the following policies for the state of Wyoming:

-  Carbon dioxide is a foundational nutrient necessary for life on earth

- Carbon dioxide shall not be designated or treated as a pollutant or contaminant

- The state of Wyoming shall not pursue any targets or measures that support the reduction or elimination of carbon dioxide, including any "net‑zero" targets.