Republican gubernatorial candidate Brent Bien has released a new white paper outlining his proposal to repeal Wyoming's 2020 House Bill 0200, arguing the law has placed unnecessary burdens on the state's coal industry and electric power producers. Bien announced the white paper this week as part of his broader "Return Energy Production to Wyoming" agenda.
HB0200, passed during the 2020 legislative session, established Wyoming's Reliable and Dispatchable Low-Carbon Energy Standards. The law requires coal-fired electric generating units to meet specific carbon emission reduction targets, effectively mandating the installation of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology or equivalent emissions reductions if the plants are to continue operating under the statute.
In his white paper, Bien contends the legislation represents government interference in the energy market by forcing utilities to adopt expensive technology that has yet to prove commercially viable on a broad scale. He argues the mandate threatens the long-term competitiveness of Wyoming's coal-fired power plants while increasing costs for ratepayers and discouraging investment in the state's traditional energy sector.
Bien says repealing HB0200 would remove what he describes as an unnecessary regulatory burden and allow Wyoming's coal industry to compete based on market demand rather than government mandates. He has made energy policy a cornerstone of his gubernatorial campaign, calling for expanded coal, oil, and natural gas production while reducing regulations he believes hinder economic growth.
The release of the white paper marks Bien's latest effort to distinguish his energy platform as the 2026 Wyoming governor's race continues, with the candidate arguing that restoring Wyoming's energy leadership begins by eliminating policies he says weaken one of the state's most important industries.
Bien first announced his plans in an interview on Cowboy State Politics on June 25. Shortly after that, his campaign released a video in which he said of HB0200,
“This bill was passed by many of the same people who are now putting lip service to the energy production industries in our state of “unleashing” or “releasing Wyoming energy.” Others chanting the same allegiance to our energy producers have voted on committees, subsequent bills in the legislature, and boards, such as the State Lands and Investment Board, to advance the woke green energy agenda.”
Thus far in the election there hasn’t been any professional polling released about Wyoming’s Governors race. Brent Bien is facing off against Megan Degenfelder and Eric Barlow.