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Read. Follow. Verify.Wyoming requires specific legislative approval for large-scale energy projects and state funding allocations
Last action · February 11, 2026: S Failed Introduction 10-21-0-0-0Sponsors: Cheri Steinmetz and 8 others
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What This Bill Proposed
This bill requires explicit legislative approval through a bill or resolution before any industrial-scale energy generation facility or may begin construction or receive state funding commitments totaling $200,000 or more. The measure sets specific capacity and acreage thresholds, establishes rules for state agency funding, and applies to s sought on or after July 1, 2026.
Energy developers and large industrial power users face mandatory legislative review before securing state financial support or proceeding with construction, altering project timelines and approval requirements across Wyoming.
- The Wyoming Energy Project Accountability Act was introduced during the 2026 legislative session as Senate File 91, sponsored by Senator Steinmetz and co-sponsored by several other lawmakers. context
- The bill failed introduction in the Senate on February 11, 2026, with a 10-21 vote. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Energy project developers
Developers of industrial-scale generation facilities or large power loads must secure legislative approval before construction and state funding.
Public utilities
Utilities are not required to serve large industrial power loads unless legislative approval is granted.
State agencies and political subdivisions
State bodies are barred from allocating state funds of $200,000 or more to energy projects without prior legislative approval.
Key Facts
- The act applies to industrial-scale generation facilities defined as maintaining 150+ megawatts of nameplate capacity, wind facilities with a footprint of 5,000+ acres, or solar facilities with a footprint of 500+ acres.
- A large industrial power load is defined as a new or expanded electric load expected to require 75+ megawatts of peak demand, or 100+ megawatts aggregated across common ownership or control within 5 years.
- No public utility is required to serve a large industrial power load without legislative approval.
- State agencies, instrumentalities, and political subdivisions are prohibited from allocating state funds totaling $200,000 or more for an energy project without specific legislative approval.
Show all 8 facts
- Legislative approval requires a bill or resolution identifying project locations, funding sources, intended uses, clawback terms, and protections against cost-shifting to other ratepayers.
- Exceptions to legislative approval are provided for public service commission-declared emergencies due to insufficient energy capacity, and for routine maintenance, replacements, or uprates below set thresholds.
- Existing contracts and agreements entered into before the effective date are not altered or impaired by this act.
- The act applies to any industrial-scale generation facility or large industrial power load for which a state action is first sought on or after July 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What energy sources are covered under this act?
Are there any exceptions where legislative approval is not required?
What is the dollar threshold for state fund commitments requiring approval?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Failed in the Senate.
Procedural history
3 actions- Feb 11, 2026SenateS Failed Introduction 10-21-0-0-0
- Feb 10, 2026SenateS Received for Introduction
- Feb 9, 2026Bill Number Assigned
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Shift to Legislative Pre-Approval for Energy Projects
The bill shifts authority by requiring explicit legislative approval via a bill or resolution prior to the construction or state funding of industrial-scale energy projects and large power loads.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wyoleg.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 85)
- Controversy75Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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