Wyoming’s Industrial Development Information and Siting Act guides the permit and regulation process for constructing large industrial facilities in Wyoming. This includes any project exceeding $290,700,000, such as power generation, manufacturing, data centers, carbon capture and certain mining operations.
Under the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Industrial Siting Division (ISD) evaluates social, economic and environmental impacts for companies planning major industrial projects before they begin the construction permit process. If the ISD considers the application complete, the Industrial Siting Council—a seven-member citizen panel—holds a hearing and votes to approve, deny, or impose strict conditions on the construction permit.
FACT: The strict review process weeds out projects that do not meet the requirements. In other words, applications that would cause the Council to deny a permit never reach the Council.
FACT: The Industrial Siting Act requires a project to study its impact on wildlife and ensure the project complies with relevant wildlife protection laws. Projects in Wyoming must comply with the Sage Grouse Executive Order, consider their impact of crucial winter range and mitigate any impacts to big game migration corridors.
FACT: Public participation is easy. The public can sign up to receive notices on all projects and hearings through DEQ’s website.
FACT: The Industrial Siting Process requires years of effort, millions of dollars and large teams of consultants to prepare an application. When compared to other states, Wyoming’s process is one of the more challenging in the country.
FACT: Projects are generally permitted for about 30 years. At the start of the project, the developer must provide a bond covering the full cost to decommission and reclaim the project. This bond is reviewed every 5 years to ensure there are enough funds to fully decommission and reclaim the land at the end of the project’s lifespan.
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