The conversation surrounding third-party electrical generation in Wyoming needs to be broader than data centers. While data centers have brought attention to Wyoming’s growing electricity needs, this issue is ultimately about whether our state will have the power necessary to grow our economy, support existing industries, and attract new businesses.
One of my biggest concerns is what we are seeing from some utility companies, particularly Rocky Mountain Power and the challenges facing economic development in southwest Wyoming.
We continue to hear from businesses that need significant amounts of electricity but are facing long lead times, enormous infrastructure costs, or simply being told that the power they need cannot be provided within a timeframe that makes their project viable.
At some point, Wyoming has to ask a basic question: Why should a utility have a monopoly over a service territory if it cannot or will not provide the electricity necessary for economic development?
That question becomes even more important when the end user is willing to pay 100% of the infrastructure costs associated with bringing power to its project.
If Rocky Mountain Power or any other utility can provide reliable electricity at a reasonable cost and within a reasonable timeframe, they should absolutely have the first opportunity to serve that customer. But if they cannot provide the power, require excessive lead times, or present infrastructure costs that make a project economically impossible, they should not also have the ability to prevent that customer from pursuing another generation option.
You cannot tell a business, “We can’t serve you,” and then turn around and say, “But nobody else can serve you either.”
That makes no sense to me.
Third-party generation does not mean dismantling Wyoming’s regulated utility system. It also should never mean shifting costs onto existing residential or commercial ratepayers. Any legislation we consider must ensure that a business choosing third-party generation pays its own infrastructure and associated costs and does not leave existing utility customers holding the bill.
But there is a major difference between protecting Wyoming ratepayers and protecting a monopoly from competition.
Wyoming is an energy state. We produce coal, natural gas, uranium, wind and other energy resources. It is incredibly frustrating that a state blessed with this much energy can have businesses struggling to obtain the electricity necessary to operate here.
And this isn’t just about data centers. It affects manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, processing facilities and other industrial development that could bring jobs, investment and tax revenue into Wyoming communities.
I am tired of hearing excuses while watching businesses and economic opportunities go somewhere else.
Our utilities should have the opportunity to serve these customers. But when a utility especially one controlling a large service territory like Rocky Mountain Power cannot provide the power a business needs within a reasonable timeframe and at a reasonable cost, Wyoming needs to provide another option.
A utility monopoly should never become a roadblock to Wyoming’s economic future.
Lee Filer represents House District 44 in Cheyenne
