Republican gubernatorial candidate Brent Bien has announced the beginning of his energy agenda, putting Wyoming’s energy industry at the center of his campaign and promising voters that one of his first actions as governor would be to target a controversial energy policy passed by the Wyoming Legislature in 2020.
Bien argues that Wyoming’s energy producers have been undermined by policies adopted in Cheyenne that have increased costs, restricted growth, and created uncertainty for an industry that has long been a foundation of the state’s economy. In announcing his energy agenda, Bien pointed directly at House Bill 0200 from 2020 as a turning point in what he describes as the beginning of a “green energy agenda” in Wyoming.
"In 2020, the door was opened to the woke “greening” of Wyoming with the passing into law of HB200: RELIABLE AND DISPATCHABLE LOW-CARBON ENERGY STANDARDS."
“This Bill was passed by many of the same people who are now giving lip service to the energy production industries in our state of "unleashing” or “releasing Wyoming energy." Elected officials chanting the same allegiance to our energy producers have voted on committees, subsequent bills in the Legislature, and on boards, such as the State Land and Investment Board to advance the woke green energy agenda. All of this has been done while allowing this law to cripple our legacy producers. All of the implementation costs are passed onto you by raising your energy bills nearly 30%. That lip-service ends the day I become Wyoming’s Governor.”
“This law mandates carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) technology to be placed on coal-fired power plants among other crushing policies that have stifled the Wyoming economy, which is growing at a rate three times lower than the national average."
Bien framed HB0200 as an example of what he called the consequences of political compromise without considering the long-term impact on Wyoming’s industries. “This is a prime example of what ‘going along to get along’ gets you: a crippling of our energy producers, our economy, and hurting the people of Wyoming.”
Energy has become one of the central issues in the 2026 Wyoming governor’s race. Candidates debate how the state should balance protecting its traditional energy industries while responding to changing energy markets and federal policies.
Bien says his approach will be focused on protecting Wyoming’s coal, oil, and natural gas industries and reversing policies he believes have made it more difficult for those industries to compete; namely, HB200. “Elect me as your next governor on August 18th and November 3rd, and I will demand the repeal of HB0200 from 2020 on Day ONE! My pledge is to YOU, to the People of Wyoming.”
Bien joined Cowboy State Politics for an interview June 25th to discuss his new policy agenda.
With energy remaining one of Wyoming’s most important economic issues, Bien’s announcement signals that repealing or reforming energy policy will be a major theme of his campaign as Republican voters decide who they want to lead the state.