HB0120

Establishes industrial sovereign zones to encourage production of value-added manufactured products from natural gas in Wyoming, with tax incentives and expedited permitting.

• Creates legislative findings stating that other jurisdictions' actions suppress Wyoming natural gas prices and that converting natural gas to value-added products allows Wyoming to engage in global trade without fossil fuel restrictions. (W.S. 9-20-201)
• Defines value-added manufactured products as natural gas undergoing substantial molecular transformation in Wyoming, including methane pyrolysis (turquoise hydrogen), ammonia synthesis, and other processes producing hydrogen, ammonia, or chemically distinct products. (W.S. 9-20-202)
• Authorizes the Wyoming Energy Authority to establish industrial sovereign zones in areas where natural gas prices are reduced or other conditions exist, determining zone boundaries as appropriate. (W.S. 9-20-203(a))
• Provides that facilities in industrial sovereign zones may receive authority assistance in licensing and are eligible for expedited permit processing within 45 days of application. (W.S. 9-20-203(b)(i), W.S. 35-11-109(a)(xvi))
• Exempts machinery purchased or leased for value-added manufacturing facilities in industrial sovereign zones from excise tax. (W.S. 9-20-203(b)(ii), W.S. 39-15-105(a)(viii)(O)(V), W.S. 39-16-105(a)(viii)(D)(V))
• Exempts natural gas producers from severance taxes when their natural gas is consumed in industrial sovereign zones for production of value-added manufactured products. (W.S. 9-20-203(b)(iii), W.S. 39-14-205(q))
• Establishes a voluntary gold standard certification program for value-added manufactured products produced with not more than 0.2% methane intensity, allowing the authority to collect annual fees not exceeding administration costs. (W.S. 9-20-204)
• Assigns the Wyoming Energy Authority responsibility to administer the Energy Product Reclassification and Sovereignty Act and encourages production of value-added manufactured products. (W.S. 37-5-503(k))