Wyoming
State Scorecard Rank
51
Wyoming
4.0Scored out of 50Updated 12/2020
State Government
Score: 2.5 out of 6
State Government Summary List All
The state offers several consumer incentives to encourage energy-efficient investments. The state government encourages the use of energy savings performance contracts but does not otherwise lead by example. There are no research centers focused on energy efficiency within the state.
Financial Incentives List All
The state of Alaska offers the following financial incentives to encourage energy efficiency improvements:
- Small Business Non-Profit Energy Audit and Retrofit Program
- Local Government Energy Improvement Retrofit Grant
- K-12 Public Schools Energy Improvement Grant
- Revolving Loan Fund: WEA issued a loan to Lower Valley Energy, which re-loans to its members who are interested in making energy efficiency improvements.
Further financial incentive information can be found in the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE Wyoming).
Last Updated: June 2022
Equity Metrics and Workforce DevelopmentList All
We were unable to determine if the state's energy plans or electrification strategies establish specific policies or equity-related metrics to ensure access for underserved customers.
Workforce Development
In July of 2020, the Wyoming Legislature created the Wyoming Energy Authority, which, according to W.S. 37-5-503(a)(v), is tasked with developing and administering programs that provide education on energy resources and emerging technologies including tours, academic programs and communication plans.
Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming, offers a Wind Energy program that provides students with the critical skills needed to become successful technicians in the rapidly growing wind industry. A balanced combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training allow students to quickly turn concepts into valuable work experience.
Last Updated: September 2020
Carbon Pricing PoliciesList All
The State of Wyoming does not yet have carbon pricing policies in place.
At this time, the state does not have a statewide emissions reduction goal in place.
Last Updated: September 2022
Building Energy Disclosure List All
There is no disclosure policy in place.
Last Reviewed: July 2019
Public Building Requirements List All
No policy is in place or proposed. However, the Wyoming State Energy Office has an energy savings program that targets public facilities. The intent of this program is to retrofit existing buildings to maximize energy savings and create a sustainable reduction in energy usage. The program pays for both an energy audit and the cost of energy efficiency improvements on a cost share basis.
State-owned buildings are required to submit plans to the Wyoming State Building Commission, and the plan is required to consider each building’s utility costs and whether the contemplated projects might save utility costs through increased efficiency.
Last Updated: June 2022
Fleets List All
No policy in place or proposed
Note: For state efficient fleet initiatives, policies listed must make a specific, mandatory requirement for increasing state fleet efficiency. State alternative-fuel vehicle procurement requirements that give a voluntary option to count efficient vehicles are thus not included.
Last Reviewed: June 2022
Energy Savings Performance Contracting List All
The Wyoming Business Council, in conjunction with the State Energy Office, re-launched the Wyoming Energy Conservation Improvement Program (WYECIP) in 2011. This program provides support for facilities seeking to enter into an ESPC, including model contracts and other documents to assist with implementation of performance contracts.
Last Reviewed: September 2020
Research & Development List All
No public research centers have a focus on energy efficiency.
Last Reviewed: July 2019
Important Links List All
Buildings
Score: 0 out of 9
Buildings Summary List All
The state's ICBO Uniform Building Code is voluntary for both residential and commercial buildings and is based on the 1989 MEC. Wyoming has convened a stakeholder advisory group and offers code training and outreach.
Residential Codes List All
Wyoming's residential building code is voluntary. Known as the ICBO Uniform Building Code, it is based on the 1989 MEC and may be adopted and enforced by local jurisdictions. Some jurisdictions have adopted more stringent codes than the voluntary standard: the 8 most populated cities and counties in Wyoming have an energy code that meets or exceeds the IECC 2006 or equivalent. Teton County and Jackson are moving to the IECC 2012; Cheyenne adopted the IECC 2009; Casper, Rock Springs, and Gillette adopted a modified IECC 2006.
Last Reviewed: September 2019
Commercial Code List All
Wyoming's commercial building code is voluntary. Known as the ICBO Uniform Building Code, it is based on the 1989 MEC and may be adopted and enforced by local jurisdictions. Some jurisdictions have adopted more stringent codes than the voluntary standard: the 8 most populated cities and counties in Wyoming have an energy code that meets or exceeds the IECC 2006 or equivalent.
Last Reviewed: September 2019
Compliance List All
- Gap Analysis/Strategic Compliance Plan: NA
- Baseline & Updated Compliance Studies: NA
- Utility Involvement: NA
- Stakeholder Advisory Group: Wyoming Conference of Building Officials (WBCO)
- Training/Outreach: The Wyoming State Energy Office has ongoing seminars available.
Last Reviewed: September 2019
Important Links List All
CHP
CHP Summary List All
Wyoming does not have policies in place to encourage the deployment of CHP systems. One new CHP installation was completed in 2018.
Interconnection StandardsList All
Policy: Wyoming Interconnection Practices
Description: Wyoming has not actually established an interconnection standard but instead relies on the interconnection requirements imbedded in its net metering rules. Biomass-powered systems up to 25kW are eligible, along with other renewable-fueled systems.
Last Updated: September 2018
Encouraging CHP as a ResourceList All
There are currently no state policies designed to acquire energy savings from CHP (like other efficiency resources) or energy generation from CHP (in terms of kWh production) that apply to all forms of CHP.
Last Updated: August 2017
Deployment IncentivesList All
There are currently no state policies that provide incentives for CHP deployment.
Last Updated: August 2017
Additional Supportive PoliciesList All
There are currently no additional supportive policies to encourage CHP.
Last Updated: August 2017
Utilities
Score: 1 out of 20
Utilities Summary List All
Wyoming has relatively little energy efficiency programming throughout the state. Wyoming Public Service Commission approved demand-side management programs for Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) that began January 1st, 2009 (see Docket No. 20000-264-EA-06). Supported by the PSC, the portfolio was largely driven by resource needs identified in the utility’s IRP. These programs represent the state’s first significant energy efficiency activity.
Cheyenne Light and Power, Black Hills Power, Carbon Power & Light, Lower Valley Energy, and Questar Gas also run limited sets of energy efficiency programs.
The most recent budgets for energy efficiency programs and electricity and natural gas savings can be found in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
Customer Energy Efficiency Programs List All
Wyoming Public Service Commission approved demand-side-management programs for Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) that began January 1st, 2009 (see Docket No. 20000-264-EA-06). These programs represent the state’s first significant energy efficiency activity.
RMP’s 2011 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) reflected a significant increase in energy efficiency over past planning cycles. The utility forecasts energy efficiency additions through 2030. Currently, RMP offers several rebate programs. RMP is responsible for about 57% of electricity sales in Wyoming. Cheyenne Light and Power, Black Hills Power, Carbon Power & Light, Lower Valley Energy, and Questar Gas also run limited sets of energy efficiency programs.
The most recent budgets for energy efficiency programs and electricity and natural gas savings can be found in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
Last Updated: July 2016
Energy Efficiency as a Resource List All
There is currently no policy in place that treats energy efficiency as a resource. Wyoming does have an integrated resource planning (IRP) process, although the frequency with which utilities must update these plans is not specified in the state’s rules.
For more information on energy efficiency as a resource, click here.
Last Updated: July 2016
Energy Efficiency Resource Standards List All
There is currently no EERS in place.
For more information on Energy Efficiency Resource Standards, click here
Last Updated: July 2016
Utility Business Model List All
A three-year pilot decoupling program was approved for Questar Gas Company in June 2009 for its General Service class of customers. The pilot began July 1, 2009, and remains in effect. It is adjusted annually (Docket No. 30010-94-GR-8, May 2009).
A load management tracking adjustment mechanism is in place for Montana-Dakota Utilities Company to track and recover lost revenues associated with implementation of load management programs (Docket No. 20004-65-ET-06. Filed on August 31, 2006).
There is currently no policy in place that rewards successful energy efficiency programs.
Last Updated: July 2016
Evaluation, Measurement, & Verification List All
- Primary cost-effectiveness test(s) used: total resource cost test
- Secondary cost-effectiveness test(s) used: utility cost test, participant cost test, societal cost test, ratepayer impact measure test.
The evaluation of ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs in Wyoming is not required. Evaluations rely on regulatory orders specified in dockets for each utility and are mainly administered by the Wyoming Public Service Commission.
According to the Database of State Efficiency Screening Practices (DSESP), Wyoming specifies a total resource cost model as its primary test for decision making. Wyoming also uses the Utility Cost Test (UCT), Participant Cost Test (PCT) Societal Cost Test (SCT), and Ratepayer Impact Measure test (RIM) as secondary tests. The benefit-cost tests are required for overall portfolio level screening. The rules for benefit-cost tests are not specified.
Further information on cost-effectiveness screening practices for Wyoming is available in the Database of State Efficiency Screening Practices (DSESP), a resource of the National Efficiency Screening Project (NESP).
Last Reviewed: January 2020
Guidelines for Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs List All
Requirements for State and Utility Support of Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs
No specific required spending or savings requirements were identified.
Cost-Effectiveness Rules for Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs
Wyoming specifies the TRC test to be its primary test for decision making. The benefit-cost tests are required for overall portfolio level screening. The rules for benefit-cost tests are not specified.
Coordination of Ratepayer-Funded Low-Income Programs with WAP Services
Level of coordination is unclear from publicly available data.
Last updated: April 2017
Self Direct and Opt-Out Programs List All
Rocky Mountain Power offers a self-direct option for customers. The self-direct program is a project-based rate credit program that offers up to an 80% credit of eligible project costs back to customers as a rate credit against the 3.7% cost-recovery mechanism (CRM) charge all customers pay. Customers earn a credit up to 100% of their CRM charge but do pay a flat $500/project administrative fee for each self-directed project. Customers can choose to engage in self-direct and more traditional CRM programs simultaneously, provided the different programs are used to deploy different projects.
Last Updated: July 2016
Data AccessList All
Wyoming has no policy in place that requires utilities to release energy use data to customers or third parties.
Last Updated: July 2016
Transportation
Score: 0.5 out of 12
Transportation Summary List All
Wyoming has not focused its efforts on policies to encourage efficient transportation systems, leaving significant room for growth.
Transportation System Efficiency List All
Transportation and Land Use Integration: No policy in place or proposed.
VMT Targets: No policy in place or proposed.
Complete Streets: No policy in place or proposed.
FAST Freight Plans and Goals: Wyoming has a state freight plan that identifies a multimodal freight network, but it does not include freight energy or greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Last Reviewed: July 2019
Incentives for High-Efficiency Vehicles List All
No policy in place or proposed.
Last Reviewed: July 2019
Equitable Access to TransportationList All
Wyoming does not have any state programs in place to incentivize the creation of low-income housing near transit facilities, nor does it consider the proximity of transit facilities when distributing federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to qualifying property owners. Last Reviewed: July 2019