FIFTY-EIGHTH WYOMING LEGISLATURE

APPROVED INTERIM COMMITTEE STUDIES

2005 INTERIM

 

 

JOINT MINERALS, BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INTERIM COMMITTEE

Initial Approved Budget: $22,000

 

Topic #1:            Community landfill remediation.

 

There are 130 landfills statewide of which 52 are active and 21 are known to be leaking.  The Department of Environmental Quality predicts 58 will ultimately leak and predicts the total cost to remediate these leaking landfills will be $174 million.  The Committee will distribute the previously drafted legislation to all stake holders statewide, take testimony and develop a plan for regional landfills and the remediation of existing landfills.

 

Topic #2:                        Value added for minerals.

 

The Committee will consider what other states are doing in competition with Wyoming to develop and promote coal gasification, clean diesel and clean CO2, either for sequestration or tertiary recovery projects and the beneficial effects of clean diesel and clean emissions on the air shed.

 

Topic #3:                        Economic development programs.

 

The Committee will look at all economic and community development programs, including the Wyoming Business Council Challenge Loan Program, State Lands and Investment Board grants and loans, the Business Ready Community Program, proposed venture capital programs and community enhancement programs.  The Committee will look for any duplication, inefficiencies and ways to make these programs more user friendly.  The Minerals Committee will coordinate with the Revenue Committee regarding the proposed venture capital programs.

 

Topic #4: Receiving the report on the University Energy Institute, other reports and the School of Petroleum Engineering.

 

Management Council agreed that the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee is designated as the legislative Committee to receive the required report from the task force developing the proposed University Energy Institute, as provided in Section 333 of this year's budget, 2005 Senate File 0001.  The Committee will also consider the necessity for re-instating the school of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Wyoming.  The Committee will receive other reports as required.

 

Topic #5:                        Pipeline and utility location rights-of-way for state highways.

 

The Committee will consider this item if time permits.  The Committee will take testimony and develop a plan for the use of State highway rights-of-way for utility corridors, including pipelines, transmission, broadband, etc.


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