Governor Mark Gordon emphasized his commitment to Wyoming’s energy economy and its fiscal health in his 2021 State of the State address.  The top coal-mining state in the nation announced a goal Tuesday to capture more carbon dioxide than the state emits.  He criticized plans taking shape under President Joe Biden’s intention to limit climate change.

“They claim to follow the science, but they adopt policies that resemble science fiction,” Gordon said.

Prioritizing renewable energy over technology to keep carbon dioxide from power plants out of the atmosphere is a “crazed pursuit,” Gordon said about Biden’s plans.

Gordon said a tumultuous year of the pandemic and low oil prices had forced Wyoming to make steep spending cuts.

“We’re entering more frugal times, and we will have to continue to temper wants and emphasize needs,” Governor Gordon said. “Success will require action from individuals, businesses, and our state government. That’s what I believe this session is all about.”

“What we do today can mean that the Wyoming we love remains.  These next few years will be pivotal for Wyoming. And I intend to do my best to make sure our citizens are confident in their future.”

He praised Wyoming’s response to the pandemic that has kept schools open and businesses viable and said vaccine distribution was going smoothly.

Wyoming could see a tourism “bonanza” if pent-up demand for travel brings visitors to the state this summer, he said.  Still, Wyoming isn’t out of the woods yet with the virus and economic turmoil.

He urged lawmakers meeting in Cheyenne over the next month to find a way to fund public education amid declining revenue from the state’s coal, oil and gas extraction industries.

Gordon has also ordered a statewide review of how a Biden administration pause in leasing federal land for oil and gas drilling will affect state agencies. Recently, Gordon joined 16 other Republican governors in asking Biden to lift the moratorium.

“I have had phone calls with Biden’s top climate officials explaining our position and demanding relief,” Gordon said.

Gordon has long advocated developing technology to capture carbon dioxide from power plant smokestacks and pumping it underground so it won’t enter the atmosphere.

“The use of coal is under assault from all directions,” he said. “Paradoxically, it’s that very industry that offers the best and most efficient way to remove CO2 from our atmosphere.” Many states talk about becoming carbon-neutral with emissions, Gordon said.

“Today, I challenge you to join me in making Wyoming net negative in CO2 emissions,” he said. “Fossil energy makes that possible. We have to take the lead and not look back.”

He didn’t offer specifics but called for more hydrogen to power vehicles and more research at the University of Wyoming and a coal-fired power plant near Gillette into carbon capture.

“Wyoming is embracing solar and wind development,” Gordon said. “Both are emerging and important parts of Wyoming’s total energy portfolio. But we are not fooled by false promises either. We want to see what can be done.”