Energy Economics, Taxation & State Revenues

RESEARCH

In-depth reports, policy briefs, and original analysis examining key issues facing Wyoming.

Balancing The Scales: How Wyoming Can Protect Its Energy Revenues

June, 2025: Wyoming Liberty Group, working with Always On Energy Research, released a policy report titled "Balancing the Scales: How Wyoming Can Protect Its Energy Revenues," authored by Trevor Lewis and Gabriel Collins, with project oversight by Isaac Orr.

Data Centers: The hidden costs of corporate Welfare

August, 2014: Wyoming’s government utilizes millions of tax dollars to attract businesses to the state. It justifies this spending program by

playing up the positive with long-winded rhetoric about economic diversification and job creation. What government leaves out is the cost of subsidizing businesses. As the history of this corporate welfare shows, attempts to pick winners are littered with the carcasses of wasted tax dollars and a citizenry worse off.

Latest Energy Economics & State Revenue Articles

Recent research, commentary, and conversations on energy economics, taxation, and state revenue from Wyoming Liberty Group.

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ARTICLES

Shorter commentary, explainers, and timely analysis on current policy debates.

There is No Direct Democracy Solution for Local Control of Data Centers in Wyoming

July, 2026: There has been quite an outcry against the influx of workers and the infrastructure needed to build data centers in Laramie County. Memories are long, and the energy boom—and accompanying population boom—in Rock Springs in the 1970s is an enduring and controversial part of Wyoming history.

‘Drill Baby, Drill’ - What a second Trump term means for oil & gas in Wyoming

December, 2024: Whatever your politics, President Trump's triumphant return to the White House is being hailed by a wide swath of Wyomingites, especially those in oil and gas, a vital sector of our economy, not to mention our history, our identity and, as it turns out, our future.

Feds Push Western Solar Plan - Rep. Hageman raises key questions for Wyoming

November, 2024: Let's give a shout out to our very own Harriet Hageman, Wyoming's sole representative in Congress. Rep. Hageman recently called out the Bureau of Land Management—otherwise known as BLM—and its misguided Western Solar Plan, which would vastly expand the amount of public land that could be used for big industrial solar projects. Perhaps up to 31 million acres in nearly a dozen states in the West, including our very own Wyoming.

The Push for Renewable Energy in Wyoming - Is it all that it’s cracked up to be?

October, 2024: There's hype. And then there's jargon. Combine the two, and you have quite the mess. That's certainly the case with the latest push to expand renewable energy in Wyoming.

Electrical Generation Tax Proposed by Lawmakers

November, 2019: A proposed bill to tax electricity generated in Wyoming was heard Interim Joint Revenue Committee on Tuesday, Nov 12th, 2019. The committee failed to vote on the legislation. The proposal led by Sen. Cale Case, R – Lander, seeks to tax electricity generated in Wyoming at a rate of $1 a Megawatt-hour (MWH) or the gross receipts of electricity generated in the state at 3.5%.

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INTERVIEWS

Conversations with experts, policymakers, and stakeholders on complex policy topics.

Fossil Fuels to Renewables with William Happer, Ph.D. - Episode 066

April, 2024: In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we discuss the contentious topics of global warming, climate change, and the push toward green energy. Join us for an insightful conversation with William Happer, Ph.D., who serves as Chair of the CO2 Coalition and is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Physics at Princeton University as he shares his expert insights and challenges popular beliefs.

From Rigs to Regulations: A Look at Wyoming's Oil Sector - Episode 070

May, 2024: Welcome to another episode of Eye on the Issues. Today, we're delving into the energy sector in Wyoming with Pete Obermueller, President of the Petroleum Association of Wyoming. Pete shares insights on the vital role of oil and gas in Wyoming's economy, detailing the industry's contributions to GDP, employment, and tax revenue.

How Net Zero Policies Impact Farmers & Families - Episode 064

April, 2024: In the latest episode of Eye on the Issues, we examine the repercussions of net zero climate control policies on farmers and families across America. Join us as we speak with Rea Hederman from the Buckeye Institute, who illuminates these policies' far-reaching effects.

Facts Over Fear: A Climate Reality Check with Gregory Wrightstone - Episode 061

March, 2024: In this episode, we tackle the controversial subject of climate change with Gregory Wrightstone, the Executive Director of the CO2 Coalition. Join us as we challenge commonly held beliefs and examine the science behind climate skepticism.

Inside Wyoming’s Mining Industry with Travis Deti - Episode 054

February, 2024: Welcome to Eye on the Issues, in this episode we are going on a journey into Wyoming's mining landscape with Travis Deti, the Executive Director of the Wyoming Mining Association. This episode serves as an exceptional introduction not only to the Wyoming Mining Association but also to the dynamic world of mining in Wyoming.