Some processing facilities would avoid Wyoming's industrial siting rules

Covered processing facilities would be exempt from Wyoming's industrial siting law. This covers processing facilities inside an existing coal or trona mine's permitted area or on land next to property its permit holder owns or controls. It also covers facilities for processing minerals described as “leasable or locatable” in existing industrial parks designated by local governments. Applicants would still have to send the state the information required for exempt work. These provisions would apply when an applicant receives a decision on whether state siting law covers the facility on or after July 1, 2027. Earlier decisions would follow prior law.

The proposed exemptions would not stop cities, towns, and counties from making or enforcing local impact agreements with developers. This covers the processing facilities described above and certain nonmineral processing facilities in existing industrial parks or special industrial zones. The agreements would address effects on the affected communities from building and running the facility, including effects that are reduced and those that remain. This provision would apply to facilities whose applicants receive a state coverage decision on or after July 1, 2027.

The state industrial siting council would have to write rules to carry out the bill. The duty would fall on Wyoming's industrial siting council. The council's duty would begin when the bill becomes law.