Wyoming's Economy

I believe it is a lawmaker's duty to support the industries that contribute to Wyoming's economy.  The top three sectors are Energy, Tourism, and Agriculture.

ENERGY INDUSTRY

Wyoming is rich in fossil fuel and wind energy, and the demand for electricity worldwide is insatiable. Producing it affordably and in abundance will be key.  Coal will provide a significant portion of baseline power generation for the foreseeable future.  It is a reliable fuel for generating electricity since it can be stockpiled and stored at the plant.  Coal is transported via rail and rail shipments have been curtailed by the railroads in recent years, pinching coal production. Most new power plants are designed to burn natural gas and some coal plants have been converted to burn both but that involves building a pipeline to the plant. 

Renewables have severe landscape needs because of the sheer size of the wind turbines and the need for transmission lines taking electricity out to the grid.  There is some consolation in new technology where radar is installed on the towers, so the red lights only come on when an airplane is within three miles of the tower, making them less obtrusive.

Oil reserves in the Powder River Basin are still in the exploratory phase.   The outer boundaries of the field have not been reached. 

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is produced at natural gas processing plants. It can be transported to oil fields to inject for Enhanced Oil Recovery.  This has been done in Wyoming for 40 years. In the future CO2 could be stored in Class 6 CO2 wells if they are permitted for their pore space. 

Wyoming is the only state to have primacy on them.  We have to have carbon capture to protect oil, natural gas and coal industries that pay about half of our taxes.

TOURISM INDUSTRY

Visitors bolstered Fremont County's economy to the tune of $170.2 million dollars spent and $3.3 million dollars contributed to local tax while directly contributing to 1550 jobs in 2023. Fremont County is uniquely poised as the center of authentic western experiences with our local museums, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking landscapes.

Due to the revenue raised by Tourism in Wyoming, there is a $588 per household tax benefit.

I believe that supporting the Tourism industry strengthens and diversifies our economy.

AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY

Wyoming's agricultural industry provides natural resources like open space, which contributes to our  economic diversity, helps to maintain rural communities and contributes over $2.5 billion to the state's economy.

Fremont County has over 1000 ranch units with 2.5 million acres with the total agricultural production value of $13.6 million.  Fremont County ranks first in Wyoming for hay and alfalfa production; Wyoming ranks second in the US for wool production and lamb crop.

I believe agricultural is a founding industry of Wyoming that should not only be sustained, but promoted for innovative growth.

BUDGET & TAXES

Wyoming is in a unique position compared to many other states across the country.  It is essential that we maintain that difference through a balanced budget.  Taxes are where we pool our resources for expenditures that we could not afford individually otherwise.  The budget must cover funding for our essential services to maintain and improve our way of life.

I believe that fair-minded solutions to Wyoming's tax issues are valuable to all Wyomingites.