Committee Meeting Information

September 9 and 10, 2008

St. John's Episcopal Church

Jackson, Wyoming

 

Committee Members Present

Senator Grant C. Larson, Co-Chairman

Representative Thomas A. Lockhart, Co-Chairman

Senator Eli Bebout

Senator Stan Cooper

Senator Bob Fecht

Representative Bob Brechtel

Representative Amy Edmonds

Representative Floyd Esquibel

Representative Elaine Harvey

Representative Saundra Meyer (Tuesday only)

Representative Lorraine Quarberg

Representative William "Jeb" Steward

 

Committee Members Absent

Senator Bill Vasey

Representative Debbie Hammons

 

Legislative Service Office Staff

Maxine Weaver, Staff Attorney

Kelley Shepp, Associate Research Analyst

 

Others Present at Meeting

Please refer to Appendix 1 to review the Committee Sign-in Sheet
for a list of other individuals who attended the meeting.

Call To Order (September 9, 2008)

Co-Chairman Lockhart called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.  He introduced Representative Pete Jorgensen and Andy Schwartz, Chairman of the Teton County Commission and Teton County Commissioner Leland Christianson.  The following sections summarize the Committee proceedings by topic.  Senator Bebout moved to accept the minutes of the June meeting.  Representative Quarberg seconded the motion.  The motion passed and the minutes were approved.  Please refer to Appendix 2 to review the Committee Meeting Agenda. 

 

Executive Summary

The Committee heard from the Governor's Office, the Business Council, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Banking Commission, the Department of Workforce Services, the Public Service Commission, the Office of State Lands and Investments, the University of Wyoming, and the Wyoming Infrastructure Authority. 

 

The Committee accepted reports and passed bills on the Wyoming Economic Development Act, the economic development account, the Wyoming business ready community program and on abandoned mine reclamation liens.

 

At the November meeting, the Committee will consider bills on the clean coal task force, the community facilities program, the community enhancement program, the workforce housing program, pipeline inspection and safety, industry partnership, energy performance contracting and the residential mortgage practices act.  The Committee will also receive more reports.

 

Energy Sources and Generation

Rob Hurless, Energy and Telecommunications Advisor to the Governor's Office reported on energy resources and their current status in Wyoming, including coal, uranium, wind, gas, oil, bentonite and trona [Appendices 3 through 5] and addressed the correspondence between the Governor and the Committee [Appendices 6 and 7].

 

University of Wyoming - Energy Initiatives updates

Rick Miller, Vice President Governmental, Community & Legal Affairs, briefed the Committee on the current activities at the University of Wyoming.  Myron Allen, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Mark Northam, Director of the School of Energy Resources submitted the School of Energy Resources annual report [Appendix 8].  Representative Brechtel moved to accept the report, seconded by Representative Quarberg.  The motion passed.

 

Nicholas Agopian Director of the Wyoming Conservation Corps explained the activities of the Wyoming Conservation Corps in their second report to the Committee [Appendix 9].  The report was accepted.

 

Bill Gern, Vice President for Research Economic Development and Krista Laursen, Project Officer for the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) updated the Committee on the progress of the NCAR project.

 

Clean Coal Technologies

Mr. Miller, Mr. Hurless and Tom Sarkus with the National Energy Technology Laboratory explained the work to establish a legal framework on information sharing, the progress of the NCAR supercomputer, the uses of coal for electricity, carbon capture, storage capacity and funding [Appendix 10] and recommended five projects.  Senator Cooper moved to accept the recommendations seconded by Co-Chairman Larson.  The motion passed.

 

Rick Miller presented the proposed legislation – 09LSO-0070.W6 - Clean coal task force [Appendix 11] and asked the Committee to include the submitted proposed amendment [Appendix 12].  Following discussion to include the proposed amendment and to verify the appropriation for legislative members, no vote was taken.  The bill as amended will be discussed at the next meeting.

 

Carbon Sequestration

Wendy Lowe provided a summary on carbon sequestration presentations at the Joint Judiciary meeting held September 8, 2008.

 

Public Service Commission

Kathleen Lewis, Public Service Commission Chairman, Mary Byrne, Commissioner and Dave Piroutek, Engineering Supervisor presented information from the heating conference and town meetings [Appendices 13 through 15].

 

Chairman Lewis discussed their draft bill 09LSO-0110.W4 - Pipeline inspection and safety. [Appendix 16].  Senator Bebout moved the bill seconded by Representative Quarberg.  Following discussion, the Committee requested clarification from LSO and passed the bill on a voice vote.  The bill will be discussed at the November meeting.

 

Work Training, Development and Recruitment

Joan Evans, Director and Jeremiah Rieman, Policy Analyst with the Department of Workforce Services reviewed their proposed industry partnership act [Appendices 17 through 19].  Co-Chairman Larson moved to bring a draft bill to the next meeting.  Representative Harvey seconded the motion and the motion passed.

 

Following a lunch break, Co-Chairman Larson chaired the afternoon session.

 

Wyoming Banking Commission

Jeff Vogel, Banking Commissioner and Joe Mulberry Deputy Commissioner presented a summary of Title V of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 [Appendix 20] and asked the Committee to bring draft legislation at the next meeting.  The Committee directed Mr. Vogel to work with LSO staff to draft a bill for the November meeting.

 

Wyoming Aeronautics Commission

Dennis Byrne, Aeronautics Administrator, Amber Schlabs and Kristy Yaffa representing the Aeronautics Division, discussed the loan program and airport improvement program funding and presented their report on funding airport improvements [Appendices 21 and 22]. 

 

Wyoming Business Council

Bob Jensen, Chief Executive Officer, Mike Martin Portfolio Loan Manager for the Challenge Loan Program and Shawn Reece, Investment Ready Communities Division, explained the various programs managed by the Wyoming Business Council.

 

Mr. Martin briefed the Committee on the proposed legislation 09LSO-0062.W3 – Wyoming Economic Development Act [Appendix 23].  Co-Chairman Lockhart moved the bill seconded by Senator Cooper.  Following discussion with no amendments, the Committee passed the bill 12-2 with Senator Vasey and Representative Hammons excused.

 

Mr. Martin explained the draft bill 09LSO-0063.W1 – Economic development account  [Appendix 24].  Co-Chairman Lockhart moved the bill seconded by Senator Bebout.  Following discussion with no amendments, the Committee passed the bill 12-2 with Senator Vasey and Representative Hammons excused.

 

Mr. Jensen presented the proposed legislation 09LSO-0065.W4 – Energy performance contracting [Appendix 25].  Following discussion, the bill was laid back until the November meeting.

 

Mr. Reese reviewed the draft bill 09LSO-0107.W3 - Wyoming business ready community program [Appendix 26].  Following discussion that requested an inclusion of a statement that the council will adopt rules, the Committee passed the bill 12-2 with Senator Vasey and Representative Hammons excused.

 

Mr. Reese submitted proposed legislation 09LSO-0108.W3 - Wyoming community facilities program [Appendix 27] and proposed legislation 09LSO-0109.W4 – Wyoming community enhancement program [Appendix 28].  Senator Cooper moved Bill 109 as written, seconded by Representative Harvey.  Following discussion Senator Cooper withdrew his motion and Bill 109 was laid back until the November meeting.  Following discussion, Bill 108 was also laid back until the November meeting.

 

Meeting Recess

The Committee recessed at 5:20 pm.

 

Call To Order (September 10, 2008)

Co-Chairman Lockhart called the meeting back to order at 8:05 a.m. 

 

Work Force Housing

Mr. Jensen, Mr. Reese and David Haney, Executive Director of the Wyoming Community Development Authority discussed the progress on workforce housing applications.  This new program will be similar to the business ready communities program

 

Mr. Reese provided recommendations and additional comments [Appendices 29 and 30].  LSO staff provided a memorandum to the committee regarding issues presented from the Wyoming Business Council  [Appendix 31].  Mr. Reese described the draft bill 09LSO-0060.W3 - Workforce housing program [Appendix 32].  Following discussion with no motion, no amendments and no vote, the bill was laid back until the November meeting.

 

George Parks with the Wyoming Association of Municipalities and Christine Walker with the Teton County Housing Authority spoke generally in support of bill.

 

Office of State Lands and Investments

Debby Dickson, Grants and Loan Lead Worker with the Office of State Lands and Investments and Brian Mark, Staff Engineer, Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Water Quality Division provided background information and Report #592 - [Appendices 33 through 35].  The Committee accepted the report.

 

Energy Transportation Infrastructure

Steve Waddington, Executive Director of the Wyoming Infrastructure Authority briefed the Committee on proposed transmission projects, including the Wyoming-Colorado Intertie, the Transwest Express, the Gateway West, the Gateway South and the High Plains Express  [Appendices 36 through 38]. 

 

Following the lunch break, Co-Chairman Larson called the meeting back to order.

 

Energy Sources and Generation

Jon Doyle, Chief Executive, Medicine Bow Fuel and Power [Appendix 39] provided a perspective on natural gas and energy markets throughout the Rocky Mountain Region and the Nation.  John Harpole with Mercator informed the Committee about politics and perspectives on natural gas from Russia to the Rocky Mountains [Appendix 40].

 

Department of Environmental Quality – Abandoned Mine Land Funding

John Corra, Director of the DEQ, Rick Chancellor, Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Division Administrator and Dave Finley, Air Quality Administrator related background information on the AML funding forecast, explained the funding reimbursement from the Office of Surface Mining and addressed air quality issues around the state [Appendices 41 and 42]. 

 

Mr. Chancellor described proposed legislation 09LSO-0066.W1 – Abandoned mine reclamation-liens [Appendix 43].  Co-Chairman Lockhart moved the bill seconded by Representative Brechtel.  Following discussion with no amendments, the bill passed 11-3 with Senator Vasey, Representative Hammons and Representative Meyer excused.

 

Department of Environmental Quality – Landfill Risk Assessment and Monitoring

Mr. Corra and Leroy Feusner, Solid and Hazardous Waste Division Administrator and Bob Doctor with the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division updated the Committee on risk assessment, impacts to groundwater, the status of the landfill assessment and monitoring program, including the impact of monitoring costs on small communities, closed landfills and what DEQ can do to expedite reimbursements of advance funds to local communities [Appendices 44 through 46]. 

 

Mike McDonald, Vice Chairman of the Fremont County Solid Waste Board (Board) and Dale Groutage and Bob Baker with the Board expressed concerns relating to work from local communities, difficulty if getting plans approved by DEQ and difficulty in getting reimbursement claims paid by DEQ in a timely manner [Appendices 47 through 49].  Letters between the Board and DEQ were submitted [Appendices 50 through 52].  They reported the claims have now been paid.

 

Reports

DEQ submitted Report #41 regarding Environmental audits [Appendix 53] and Report #232 on the Underground storage tanks [Appendix 54].  A full list of reports due to the Committee is included as Appendix 55.

 

Meeting Adjournment

There being no further business, Co-Chairman Larson adjourned the meeting at 4:35 p.m.  The next meeting will be November 19 and 20, 2008 at the Game and Fish Building in Casper, Wyoming. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Senator Grant C. Larson, Co-Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix		Appendix Topic		Appendix Description		Appendix Provider
1		Committee Sign-In Sheet		Lists meeting attendees		Legislative Service Office (LSO)
2		Committee Meeting Agenda		Provides an outline of the topics the Committee addressed at the meeting		LSO
3		Energy Resources		Proposed Crude Oil Export Pipeline Expansion Out of the Rockies		Wyoming Pipeline Authority (WPA)
4		Energy Resources		Natural Gas Pipeline Export Capacity v. Marketed Production		WPA
5		Energy Resources		Proposed Additions to Capacity out of Wyoming		WPA
6		Energy Resources		August 5, 2008 Letter to Governor		LSO
7		Energy Resources		August 21, 2008 Letter from Governor		Governor’s Office
8		University of Wyoming		Report #537 – School of Energy Resources		University of Wyoming
9		University of Wyoming		Report #560 – Conservation Corps		University of Wyoming
10		Clean Coal Technologies		Recommendations of the 2008 Clean Coal Task Force		University of Wyoming
11		Clean Coal Technologies		09LSO-0070.W6 – Clean coal task force.		LSO
12		Clean Coal Technologies		Proposed Amendment to 09LSO-0070.W6		Clean Coal Task Force
13		Public Service Commission (PSC)		2008-2009 Winter Heating Town Meetings – Packet		PSC
14		PSC		August 5, 2008 Memorandum		PSC
15		PSC		August 22, 2008 Letter		PSC
16		PSC		09LSO-0110.W4 - Pipeline inspection and safety.		LSO
17		Workforce Training, Development and Recruitment		Industry Partnership Act		Department of Workforce Services
18		Workforce Training, Development and Recruitment		Wyoming Industry Partnership Act		Department of Workforce Services
19		Workforce Training, Development and Recruitment		DWFS – Proposed legislation - 09LSO-0061 draft - Industry Partnership Act.		Department of Workforce Services
20		Wyoming Banking Commission		Summary of Title V of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008		Wyoming Banking Commission
21		Wyoming Aeronautics Commission		Report #351 - Funds expended pursuant to W.S. 10-3-601		Wyoming Aeronautics Commission
22		Wyoming Aeronautics Commission		The Wyoming Aeronautics Commission Loan Program and Airport Improvement Program Funding		Wyoming Aeronautics Commission
23		Wyoming Business Council (WBC)		09LSO-0062.W3 – Wyoming Economic Development Act.		LSO
24		WBC		09LSO-0063.W1 – Economic development account.		LSO
25		WBC		09LSO-0065.W4 – Energy performance contracting.		LSO
26		WBC		09LSO-0107.W3 - Wyoming business ready community program.		LSO
27		WBC		09LSO-0108.W3 - Wyoming community facilities program.		LSO
28		WBC		09LSO-0109.W4 – Wyoming community enhancement program.		LSO
29		WBC		Workforce Housing Infrastructure Update and Recommendations for a Grant and Loan Program		WBC
30		WBC		Workforce Housing Infrastructure Update and Recommendations for a Grant and Loan Program – Additional Comments		WBC
31		WBC		September 8, 2008 Memorandum		LSO
32		WBC		09LSO-0060.W3 - Workforce housing program.		LSO
33		Office of State Lands and Investments (OSLI)		Clean Water (Pollution Control) State Revolving Fund – Fact Sheet		OSLI
34		OSLI		Report #592 – Intended use plan on the state water pollution control revolving loan account.		OSLI
35		OSLI		Intended use plan on the state water pollution control revolving loan account. – June 2008		OSLI
36		Energy Transportation Infrastructure		Electric Transmission Development - PowerPoint		Wyoming Infrastructure Authority (WIA)
37		Energy Transportation Infrastructure		Wind Energy Bumps into Power Grid’s Limits		WIA
38		Energy Transportation Infrastructure		Open Season a Success for Wyoming-Colorado Intertie		WIA
39		Energy Sources and Generation		A Commercial Clean Coal Industry Presentation – PowerPoint		DKRW Advanced Fuels
40		Energy Sources and Generation		Politics &Perspectives on Natural Gas – From Russia to the Rocky Mountains		John Harpole
41		DEQ - AML Funding Issues		August 1, 2008 Memorandum		DEQ
42		DEQ – Air Quality Issues		Future management of Wyoming’s Air - PowerPoint		DEQ
43		DEQ - AML Funding Issues		09LSO-0066.W1 – Abandoned mine reclamation-liens.		LSO
44		DEQ Landfill		Examination of Wyoming's Landfill Problems:  a White Paper		DEQ
45		DEQ Landfill		Funding Landfills with Wyoming Clean Water State Revolving Fund – Fact Sheet		DEQ
46		DEQ Landfill		Landfill Planning and Monitoring - Status Report - PowerPoint		DEQ
47		DEQ Landfill		July 19, 2008 Memo		Dale Groutage
48		DEQ Landfill		Resume		Donald I. Siegel
49		DEQ Landfill		June 25, 2008 Letter		Fremont County Solid Waste Disposal District
50		DEQ Landfill		July 30, 2008 Letter		DEQ
51		DEQ Landfill		August 12, 2998 Letter		Fremont County Solid Waste Disposal District
52		Public Comment		August 22, 2008 Letter		DEQ
53		Reports		Report #41 – Environmental audits		DEQ
54		Reports		Report #232 – Underground storage tanks annual report		DEQ
55		Reports		August 29, 2008 Report Due List		LSO