The Wyoming House of Representatives has approved a tax break that will save the coal industry money, but cost Wyoming around $10 million dollars a year. Gillette Rep. Tim Hallinan said it gives coal the same tax rate as oil and gas.
But Rep. Jim Roscoe of Wilson said the money will prop up out of state coal companies.
“I could support a bill like this if the $10 million stayed in Wyoming. If it went directly somehow to our coal miners or it helped Wyoming’s effort for Carbon Capture and sequestration. Or even helped our legal efforts to keep ports open, but sending it out of state doesn’t really make a lot of sense to me,” said Roscoe.
But supporters say the bill may help coal companies rehire displaced Wyoming workers. The bill now goes to the Senate for further debate.