Wyoming energy transmission study, the official text

ORIGINAL Senate
File No. SF0102

ENROLLED ACT NO. 50, SENATE

SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2026 Budget Session

AN ACT relating to the Wyoming energy authority; requiring the completion of a transmission study; specifying requirements of the study; requiring reports; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.

(a) The Wyoming energy authority shall complete a transmission planning study in accordance with all of the following:

(i) The study shall be completed in two (2) phases, in accordance with this subsection;

(ii) Phase one (1) of the study shall, at a minimum, be an analysis of the impacts of three (3) potential load growth scenarios on Wyoming's current transmission system and shall include all of the following:

(A) A model of Wyoming's transmission needs with an assessment of the three (3) potential load growth scenarios identified in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph to identify potential deliverability and congestion constraints;

(B) Consideration of advanced transmission technologies and electricity storage to meet the need for expanded transmission capacity in Wyoming from 2026 to 2046 under each of the three (3) potential load growth scenarios identified in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph;

(C) The consideration of three (3) load growth scenarios in completing this phase of the study, which are:

(I) Low growth;

(II) Moderate growth;

(III) High demand.

(D) A gap analysis identifying transmission needs to meet various load growth scenarios, including those identified in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.

(iii) Phase two (2) of the study shall, at a minimum, develop a qualitative summary and narrative of Wyoming's public utilities' participation, if any, in regional transmission organizations, independent system operators and real-time and extended day ahead markets.

(b) The Wyoming energy authority shall report to the joint corporations, election and political subdivisions interim committee and the joint minerals, business and economic development interim committee:

(i) Not later than November 1, 2027 on the results of phase one (1) of the study;

(ii) Not later than September 1, 2028 on the results of phase two (2) of the study.

(c) The Wyoming energy authority shall establish an advisory working group to provide input on the methodology, assumptions and findings of the study required under this section. The advisory working group shall, at a minimum, include representatives of:

(i) Rural electric cooperatives serving Wyoming;

(ii) Investor-owned electric utilities serving Wyoming;

(iii) Municipal electric utilities serving Wyoming;

(iv) The Wyoming public service commission;

(v) The office of consumer advocate.

(d) The advisory working group established under subsection (c) of this section shall be consulted throughout both phases of the study, including during the development of study methodology and scenario assumptions, review of preliminary findings and formulation of recommendations.

Section 2. This act is effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.

Chief Clerk

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