Make carbon dioxide great again-no net zero.

25LSO-0500
2025
STATE OF WYOMING
25LSO-0500
Numbered
2.0

SENATE FILE NO. SF0092

Make carbon dioxide great again-no net zero.

Sponsored by: Senator(s) Steinmetz and Representative(s) Bear

A BILL

for

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.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 35
‑
11
‑
215 is created to read:

35
‑
11
‑
215.

Carbon dioxide; beneficial treatment; state policy.

(a)

The legislature finds that:

(i)

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;

(ii)

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;

(iii)

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

(iv)

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

(v)

The national aeronautics and space administration has confirmed that global vegetation is increasing from the near
‑
polar regions to the equator. The largest contributor to this greening of the earth is increasing carbon dioxide;

(vi)

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;

(vii)

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;

(viii)

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.

(b)

It is the policy of the state of Wyoming that:

(i)

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

(ii)

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

(iii)

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.

Section 2.

W.S. 37
‑
1
‑
101(a)(intro) and 37
‑
2
‑
134(a)(i) and (iv) are amended to read:

37
‑
1
‑
101.

Definitions.

(a)

As used in chapters 1, 2, 3, 12
,

and
17
and 18
of this title:

37
‑
2
‑
134.

Electric generation facility closures; presumption; commission review.

(a)

As used in this section:

(i)

"Dispatchable" means
as defined in W.S. 37
‑
18
‑
101(a)(ii)
a source of electricity that is available for use on demand and that can be dispatched upon request of a power grid operator or that can have its power output adjusted, according to market needs
and includes dispatchability;

(iv)

"Reliable" means
as defined in W.S. 37
‑
18
‑
101(a)(iv)
generated electricity that is not subject to intermittent availability
.

Section 3.

W.S. 37
‑
1
‑
101(a)(vi)(N), 37
‑
18
‑
101 and 37
‑
18
‑
102 are repealed.

Section 4.

Not later than sixty (60) days after the effective date of this act, each public utility that recovered rates from customers under W.S. 37
‑
18
‑
102(c)(i) or (iii), as repealed by section 3 of this act, shall refund those rates to customers who paid them, provided that the utility shall not be required to refund rates recovered under W.S. 37
‑
18
‑
102(c)(i) and (iii) that the utility had expended for carbon capture, utilization and storage technology before the effective date of this act. Refunds required under this section shall be in a form and manner specified by the public service commission.

Section 5.

The public service commission shall promulgate all rules necessary to implement this act.

Section 6
.

This act is effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(END)

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SF0092