Proposal to Defund Wyoming Environmental Quality Council Approved by State House of Representatives

Proposal to Defund Wyoming Environmental Quality Council Approved by State House of Representatives

In February 2018, the Wyoming House of Representatives voted to withhold funding from the state’s Environmental Quality Council (EQC) during the second year of its two-year budget.

The EQC is an independent body established to review matters relating to the prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution. It recently faced criticism from legislators after refusing to permit a new coal mine in Sheridan County. Following the refusal, state Representatives Donald Burkhart and David Miller accused EQC of “acting outside of its intended role,” and “giving Wyoming an anti-business reputation.” Representatives Burkhart and Miller introduced a resolution to defund EQC, which was approved by the House of Representatives.