Wiktor Wise
Wyoming has considered banning the sale of electric vehicles (EVs) in the state by 2035, with legislators introducing a bill that cites various reasons, including support for the oil and gas industry, the impracticality of EVs due to a lack of charging infrastructure, and environmental concerns related to EV battery disposal. This proposal, known as State Senate Joint Resolution NO. SJ0004, has been characterized as a political stunt or messaging bill, intended to counter California's ban on gasoline-powered vehicles and make a statement against certain clean energy transitions. While the bill has not gained widespread support, it highlights the differing approaches to EV adoption across the country and the ongoing debate between electrification and the preservation of the oil and gas industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of proposal | 2023 |
| Status | Died in committee |
| Type of proposal | Bill/Resolution |
| Year by which to ban EVs | 2035 |
| Supporters of the proposal | Six GOP lawmakers led by Senator Jim Anderson |
| Opposition | Marsha Allen, Wyoming Dealers Association |
| Opposition | Keith Rittle, Wyoming Outdoor Council |
| Reasoning | Wyoming's power grid isn't set up for EV charging |
| Reasoning | Disposing of EV batteries will be challenging for municipal landfills |
| Reasoning | Crude oil and gas are important to the state economy |
| Reasoning | Electric vehicles pose a hazardous waste risk |
| Reasoning | Lack of charging infrastructure in the state |
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What You'll Learn
The bill is a political stunt
The bill proposed by Wyoming legislators to ban the sale of electric vehicles (EVs) by 2035 has been called a political stunt by some commentators. The bill is seen as a statement against California's ban on the sale of gasoline-powered cars by 2035, which is affecting the automotive industry nationwide. The bill's sponsors wanted to score political points by bringing California into the debate. The bill is also seen as a way to support Wyoming's oil and gas industries, which are considered under attack from states moving towards electric vehicles.
The bill's text cites the oil and gas industry as one of Wyoming's proudest industries, responsible for significant revenue and employment in the state. It also mentions the historical usefulness of gas-powered vehicles in enabling the state's growth and claims that the lack of EV charging infrastructure makes EVs impractical for Wyoming. However, some commentators have argued that the bill is more about political messaging than a serious attempt to ban EV sales. They believe that the bill is a way for Republican legislators to express their support for the oil and gas industry and to assert that EVs are not a practical solution for Wyoming.
Marsha Allen, executive vice president of the Wyoming Dealers Association, testified against the bill, saying that its message is "extremely concerning." She argued that even as a resolution, the statement would negatively impact dealerships in Wyoming by encouraging people not to buy EVs from them. Keith Rittle, representing the Wyoming Outdoor Council, took a different view, arguing that the transition to EVs is manageable and could bring benefits to Wyoming and its existing industries.
The bill's sponsors have been clear that the main purpose of the bill is to make a statement. Sen. Jim Anderson, the resolution's sponsor, said, "We didn't want to make a bill that would say that dealerships have to really quit selling vehicles. We just wanted to make a statement that there is a counter to stopping selling gas vehicles in other states." Sen. Brian Boner, the bill's co-sponsor, also acknowledged the symbolic nature of the bill, saying, "I'm interested in making sure that the solutions to the so-called climate crisis are actually practical in real life."
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Wyoming's power grid isn't set up for EV charging
Wyoming legislators have proposed a bill to ban the sale of electric vehicles (EVs) in the state by 2035. The bill's supporters argue that Wyoming's power grid is not equipped for EV charging and that the state's oil and gas industries are vital for its economy. They also cite the challenge of disposing of EV batteries in municipal landfills and the lack of EV charging infrastructure.
Wyoming's power grid is heavily reliant on coal-fired power plants, which produce about 73% of the state's electricity. However, only 2/5ths of the electricity is consumed within the state, with the rest being exported. This indicates that the state's power grid may have the capacity to support EV charging if the electricity generated is redirected for this purpose.
The bill's supporters argue that the state's vast stretches of highway and lack of EV charging infrastructure make the widespread use of EVs impractical. They claim that the transition to EVs would require massive amounts of new power, which the state's grid may not be able to sustain. However, critics argue that the challenges of transitioning to EVs are manageable and that there are potential benefits for Wyoming's existing industries.
The bill also mentions the importance of the oil and gas industry to Wyoming's economy and employment. It states that phasing out gas-powered vehicles could negatively impact the state's revenue and jobs in this sector. However, it is important to note that the bill is also seen as a political stunt or statement against other states, like California, that are banning the sale of gas-powered vehicles.
Overall, while Wyoming's power grid may not currently be optimized for EV charging, there are potential solutions and benefits to transitioning to EVs that should be considered. The bill's focus on the challenges highlights the need for further discussion and planning to ensure a smooth transition to more sustainable transportation options.
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Oil and gas industries are huge for Wyoming
Wyoming has introduced a bill proposing a ban on the sale of electric vehicles by 2035. The bill is a response to the move towards electrification, which several other states are embracing. The proposed bill cites several reasons for the ban, including the importance of the oil and gas industry to the state's economy.
Indeed, the oil and gas industries are huge for Wyoming. The state has a long history of oil and gas exploration, with the first oil well drilled in 1884. The oil and gas industry is one of the state's top three industries by GDP, alongside tourism and agriculture. In 2021, the industry contributed approximately $4,143.43 in direct payments to the state for every Wyoming resident, helping to keep individual taxpayers' burdens lower than in many other states. The industry also provides significant revenue and mass employment for the people of Wyoming. In 2017, the oil and gas industry directly employed over 7,000 people in the state, with an annual payroll of over $668 million.
Wyoming is a significant producer of both crude oil and natural gas, ranking 8th in the US in 2022 for the production of both. The state has a large number of producing wells, with 25,116 in 2017 and 27,951 in 2022. In 2023, Wyoming ranked 9th in the US for natural gas production, producing more than 1.25 billion Mcf of natural gas. The state also has several operating refineries and gas plants, with 4 refineries in 2022 and 33 gas plants in 2022.
The oil and gas industry is regulated and supported by several organisations in Wyoming, including the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (WOGCC), the Petroleum Association of Wyoming (PAW), the School of Energy Resources (SER), and the Wyoming Bureau of Land Management (BLM). These organisations work to promote the industry, maintain databases and information, and regulate drilling and production activities.
Overall, the oil and gas industries are critical to Wyoming's economy and employment, and the state has a strong history and presence in these sectors. The proposed bill to ban electric vehicles is, in part, a reflection of the importance of these industries to the state.
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Electric vehicles are impractical for Wyoming
Firstly, the bill cites the oil and gas industry as one of Wyoming's proudest, providing significant revenue and mass employment. A ban on electric vehicles would ensure the stability of this industry. In addition, the bill mentions that gas-powered vehicles have historically enabled the state's industries and businesses to engage in commerce and transport goods and resources more efficiently. Wyoming's vast stretches of highway make the use of electric vehicles impractical, as there is a lack of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The bill also cites supply and environmental concerns over the production and disposal of EV batteries, which are difficult to recycle. Municipal landfills may struggle to cope, and employees will require additional training and equipment.
Furthermore, Wyoming's power grid is not currently set up for optimised clean EV charging. Coal-fired power plants produce about 73% of the state's electricity, and two-thirds of this electricity is sent out of state. The bill's sponsors wanted to make a statement against states like California, which are banning the sale of gas-powered vehicles. They argue that electric vehicles are not ready to be implemented in rural states like Wyoming, where people drive long distances and often pull trailers, quickly draining EV batteries.
While the bill has faced opposition, with some arguing that the transition to EVs is manageable and could bring benefits to Wyoming, it is clear that the state faces unique challenges in adopting electric vehicles. As such, electric vehicles are currently seen as impractical for Wyoming, and the state is pushing back against the move towards electrification.
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The bill is not an actual ban on electric-vehicle sales
The bill in Wyoming, which proposes a ban on the sale of electric vehicles (EVs) by 2035, is not an actual ban on EV sales. The bill, known as State Senate Joint Resolution NO. SJ0004, is more of a political messaging or political stunt bill. It is a statement against states like California and New York, which are banning the sale of gas-powered cars. The bill's sponsors have said they did not want to make a bill that forces dealerships to stop selling vehicles but instead wanted to make a statement about the counter to stopping selling gas vehicles in other states.
The bill cites several reasons for proposing a ban on EV sales, including the importance of the oil and gas industry to the state's economy, the lack of EV charging infrastructure, and the environmental concerns over the disposal of EV batteries. However, these reasons are not strong enough to justify an outright ban on EV sales. The bill's supporters have admitted that its main purpose is to send a message, and even if the bill is adopted, it would not have the force of a ban.
The bill is also unlikely to be passed into law, as it has already failed to gain traction in the Senate Minerals, Business, and Economic Development Committee. The bill has faced opposition from various groups, including the Wyoming Dealers Association, which argued that the message sent by the bill is "extremely concerning" and could negatively impact dealerships in the state. The Wyoming Outdoor Council also disagreed with the bill, arguing that the transition to EVs is manageable and could bring benefits to Wyoming and its existing industries.
Furthermore, the bill goes against the trend towards electrification and clean energy that is growing across the nation. While some states like California and Massachusetts are planning for outright sales bans by 2035, other states like Minnesota and Colorado are setting emissions or sales goals without committing to full bans. At the federal level, President Biden has set a target of making half of all new US vehicles electric by 2030, although this is not legally binding.
Overall, while the bill in Wyoming proposes a ban on EV sales by 2035, it is primarily a political statement and is not an actual ban. The bill is unlikely to be passed into law and does not reflect the practical considerations and benefits of EV adoption in the state.
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Frequently asked questions
No, but there was an attempt to do so in 2023. The proposed bill, known as State Senate Joint Resolution NO. SJ0004, failed to gain traction with the Senate Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee.
The bill's sponsors said it was intended to make a statement against states like California and New York, which are banning the sale of gas-powered cars. The bill also cites the oil and gas industry as being one of the Cowboy State's proudest industries, responsible for significant revenue and mass employment.
Marsha Allen, executive vice president of the Wyoming Dealers Association, testified against the bill, saying its message was "extremely concerning". She argued that even as a resolution, it would negatively impact dealerships in Wyoming by encouraging people not to buy EVs from them.
