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2006 Budget Session
SF 37 created a new School of Energy Resources (SER) and Energy Resources Council at the University of Wyoming in Laramie.
The new SER will provide undergraduate and graduate instruction in energy related disciplines, advance research related to energy science, technology and economics, and provide information to Wyoming's energy industries, companies, community colleges and government agencies.
The Energy Resources Council will provide direction to the SER to identify and prioritize research and outreach issues. The Council will consist of 11 members, including the president of the University and the director of the Ruckleshaus Institute of Environment and Natural Resources as nonvoting members. Two Wyoming legislators will be appointed for two-year terms: one member of the House will be appointed by the speaker of the House, and one member of the Senate will be appointed by the president of the Senate. The remaining seven members of the Council will be appointed to three-year terms by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. These members will represent to the greatest extent possible the diverse components of Wyoming energy industries.
SF 37 appropriated $12 million to the University of Wyoming for fiscal years 2007 and 2008. The appropriation will be included in the University's block grant but will be accounted for and reported on separately.
Supporters noted the importance of energy industries to the state, and felt it was appropriate that the University should offer instruction in related disciplines, especially those that would help Wyoming develop its energy resources (both nonrenewable and renewable).
There was little opposition to the bill, although the membership of the Council was debated and amended into its final form during the legislative process.
Both the Senate and House passed SF 37 unanimously. After the Senate rejected the House version of the bill, which called for four legislators to be appointed to the Council, a conference committee modified the Council membership into its final form including two legislative appointments to the Council. Rep. Pete Jorgensen (D-H16, Jackson) cast the single vote in opposition to the compromise bill.