Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon announced Tuesday that an additional $800,000 in coal litigation funds will be allocated to the state’s attorney general in an effort to fight potential federal rules.
Funds provided to the attorney general are in preparation to challenge a final decision on the Buffalo Resource Management Plan, according to a news release from the governor’s office. The funds will be used to complement the AG’s efforts with a private firm with proven expertise in federal administrative law.
The funds for the attorney general are in addition to $300,000 recently allocated to the Wyoming Power Authority to assist in the state’s challenge to the latest round of rules issued by the Environmental Protection Agency regarding coal-fired power plants.
Wyoming has 58 active natural resource lawsuits, according to a news release from the Governor’s office.
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Gordon made the announcement at a town hall in Gillette that brought together “state, local and private sector panelists who have been active in challenging the Biden administration’s federal overreach that threatens the state’s core industries and land management,” according to a Press release. release from his office.
“For those of you in this room, we are talking about the major industries – oil, gas, grain, coal – that are essential to Wyoming, essential to the livelihood of this community and essential to our future as a state,” the Governor said. Gordon told the attendees.
The meeting was attended by Senator Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Director Todd Parfitt, Wyoming Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik and Wyoming Petroleum Association Executive Director Pete Obermueller.
“Under the Biden administration, Wyoming ranchers, business owners, and landowners have been bound by a myriad of federal regulations created by rampant DC bureaucrats intent on enclosing our lands and appeasing their radical climate change base,” Lummis said. “Governor Gordon and I heard directly from the people of Wyoming during the Gillette town hall about the ways this administration’s excessive regulations have impacted their way of life, and we will continue to work together to combat these bad policies at the state and federal level. . “
The group explained that Wyoming is “fighting back” through tactics that include greater collaboration and participation in federal planning and rulemaking, legal challenges and congressional actions.
Wyoming Game and Fish Director Nesvik explained that his agency is offering information on the potential impacts of additional regulations.
“Wyoming’s record and leadership clearly illustrate why wildlife conservation and management decisions are always better when led by the states. The ‘Public Lands’ Rule and related federal actions circumvent the state’s authority to manage wildlife within Wyoming,” Nesvik said.
David Velázquez is a reporter for the Casper Star-Tribune and can be reached at 307-301-0506, or at david.velazquez@trib.com
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