Input wanted for new impact payment rules

The Industrial Siting Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is calling to the public for their input on new rules for impact funds. HB152, regarding industrial siting impact payments, went into effect on July 1, although it will not affect previous or current projects. According to Kimber Wichmann, Principal Economist at the DEQ, the new bill will require community members to quantify the estimated costs on towns due to transient workers and other financial strains placed on them during industrial development periods. A public hearing will now be required, presented by the person or people constructing the industrial facility in question and the communities affected by the facility.

These industrial siting impact payments are unique to Wyoming. For example, when a new project, such as a longer term construction initiative that requires specialized workers, comes into the area, local communities are expected to host them. With HB152, town councils and communities will be required look at strains such as the police force dealing with a larger population and determine the monetary needs under that strain.

This bill allows the community to accurately represent themselves when it comes to these impact payments, however it requires tough negotiations between towns in an impacted area due to calculations done by local committees. The bill also limits the amount of possible payments such that they cannot amount to more than 2.76 percent of the total material costs of the industrial facility. The DEQ is facing questions about the resources available to communities in order to accomplish these tasks, now necessary.

Wichmann estimates that the application for these funds will be available beginning in 2016, but she urges communities to contact the DEQ directly to mention their concerns. According to Wichmann, there will be a massive rule rewrite regarding industrial siting payments. The DEQ wants those rules to reflect the needs of communities. For example, they are considering options like templates and guides available to the public once definitions under the bill have been set. Contact the DEQ directly by calling 307-777-7937 or emailing [email protected].