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SF0117

Wyoming Law on Air Permits for Oil and Gas Wells

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This law allows operators of certain oil and gas wells in Wyoming to begin construction and operation without an air quality permit, provided they file a complete application within 90 days of the first date of production.

What it does

  • Allows the construction and operation of an oil or gas well to begin without an air quality permit if the operator files a timely and complete application within 90 days of the first date of production.
  • Defines the 'first date of production' as the date when permanent production equipment is in place and product is consistently flowing to sales lines, gathering lines, or storage tanks.
  • Requires applicants to demonstrate that the oil and gas activity qualifies as a nonmajor source.
  • Requires the permit application to include a demonstration that the applicant will apply the best available control technology to the oil and gas production and exploration activity.
  • States that failing to have a permit is not a violation of the specific section if the application is timely and complete under these conditions.

Who it affects

  • Operators of oil and gas exploration or production wells in Wyoming.
  • Applicants for air quality permits for nonmajor sources.
  • The administrator of the air quality division, who receives the demonstration of compliance.

Limits and unknowns

  • This law does not apply to sources required to have a permit before construction under W.S. 35-11-203 or sources specified by the director.
  • The law only applies to oil and gas exploration or production activities that qualify as nonmajor sources.
  • The official summary notes that it is not an official publication and should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Plain language

Terms to know

Nonmajor source
A source that has the potential to emit less than 100 tons per year of any pollutant regulated under the Clean Air Act, and less than 10 tons per year of any single hazardous air pollutant or 25 tons per year of any combination of hazardous air pollutants.
First date of production
The date when permanent production equipment is in place and product is consistently flowing to sales lines, gathering lines, or storage tanks.
Best available control technology
The technology that the applicant must demonstrate they will apply to the oil and gas production and exploration activity.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Read the official summary

Summary for LSO115 Bill No.: SF0117 Effective : 7/1/2015 LSO No.: 15LSO-0052 Enrolled Act No.: SEA 23 Chapter No.: 66 Prime Sponsor: Bebout Catch Title: Air quality construction permitting. Subject: Authorization of the Construction of Oil and Gas Wells Prior to the Issuance of an Air Construction Permit. Summary/Major Elements: Currently in Wyoming, the Depart ment of Environmental Quality must issue an air quality permit before construction can begin on an oil or gas explora tion or production well and its associated equipment. This Act allows the construction and operation of an oil or gas well to commence without an air quality permit if the operator of the well files an application for an air quality permit within 90 days of the first date of production of the oil or gas operation . This Act only applies to oil and gas exploration or production activities which qualify as a non - major source. A non - major source is defined generally as a source which has the potential to emit l ess than: 100 tons or more per year of any pollutant re gulated under the Clean Air Act ; and 10 tons per year of any single hazardous air pollutant or 25 tons per year of any combination of hazardous air pollutants as defined by section 112 of the federal Clean Air Act. To qualify for an exemption under this Act, the applicant for a clean air permit must demonstrate the applicant will apply the best available control technology to the oil and gas production activity. Comments: Amends major program: Air Quality Permits. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 7, 4:20 AM

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports concurring with the bill because a specific word was redundant and did not need to be included.

Public statementFloor statement at 26:18 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

5 roll calls

S Concur:Passed 30-0-0-0-02015-02-23 · Senate30 yes 0 no
H 3rd Reading:Passed 59-0-1-0-02015-02-20 · House59 yes 0 no
Minerals:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-02015-02-17 · House9 yes 0 no
S 3rd Reading:Passed 27-3-0-0-02015-02-02 · Senate27 yes 3 no
Minerals:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02015-01-28 · Senate5 yes 0 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Assigned Chapter NumberLSO
  2. Governor Signed SEA No. 0023 Governor
  3. H Speaker Signed SEA No. 0023House
  4. S President Signed SEA No. 0023Senate
  5. Assigned Number SEA No. 0023LSO
  6. S Concur:Passed 30-0-0-0-0Senate
  7. S Received for ConcurrenceSenate
  8. H 3rd Reading:Passed 59-0-1-0-0House
  9. H 2nd Reading:PassedHouse
  10. H COW:PassedHouse
  11. Amendment AdoptedHouse
  12. H Placed on General FileHouse
  13. Minerals:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0House
  14. H Introduced and Referred to H09 - MineralsHouse
  15. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  16. S 3rd Reading:Passed 27-3-0-0-0Senate
  17. S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
  18. S COW:PassedSenate
  19. S Placed on General FileSenate
  20. Minerals:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0Senate

Changes

Amendments

1 stored

SF0117HS001

Adopted Standing Committee by HMinerals