Local Politics
Wyoming Signs Federal MOU to Speed Energy, Industrial Permitting
Gov. Mark Gordon and Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council Executive Director Emily Domenech signed a memorandum of understanding Monday afternoon to align Wyoming with federal efforts to expedite environmental reviews and public commenting periods for large energy and industrial projects, including data centers. The agreement aims to reduce permitting timelines that have stretched beyond a decade for some projects. The article notes prior concerns from residents in Carbon County over the Seminoe pumped water storage hydroelectric project and in Crook County regarding the Bear Lodge rare earth mining project, both of which received expedited FAST-41 federal review status. Domenech said the agency has reduced average federal permitting review time from 1,500 days to 400 days, while Gordon emphasized the MOU would provide communities a transparent forum to participate in the process.