Wyoming Policy Data

Summary

	Wyoming has been a slow adopter of AFV and NGV laws with no significant legislation passed from 2005 onward, other than incorporating Alternative Fuels into tax collection structures in 2007. 2011 saw the passage of a bill requiring the Department of Transportation and two other State departments to acquire natural gas vehicles for purchase or conversion for their departments ongoing. The 2012 state budget includes $1 million for the conversion of University of Wyoming vehicles and construction of infrastructure at the University. Click here to download the state profile sheet.

Vehicles

Current Estimated Fleet-based NGVs in Wyoming

~77

Vehicles by Fuel Type

Stations

Current Public NGV Fueling Stations -7

Private NGV Fueling Stations -6

Fuel Taxes

Wyoming Motor Fuel Taxation Website

CNG - 24.0 ¢ / GGE - 126.67 Cubic Feet

LNG - 24.0 ¢ / Gallon - DGE 6.06 lbs

Gasoline - 24.0 ¢ / Gallon

Diesel - 24.0 ¢ / Gallon

Wyoming Motor Fuel Tax Rates

IFTA - IFTA taxes are applied to vehicles of 3+ axles, or weighing more than 26,000 pounds. IFTA tax tables can be found here.

Incentives

Alternative Fuel Feasibility Study Grants

The Wyoming State Energy Office (SEO) offers grants of up to $5,000 to municipalities in the state to conduct feasibility studies related to acquiring alternative fuel vehicles or developing fueling infrastructure. Awardees must submit final feasibility studies to the SEO within 180 days of the grant execution date. Eligible applicants are required to provide at least a 10% cash match. Other terms and conditions may apply. Funding is not currently available for this incentive (verified March 2016). For more information, see the SEO Energy Assistance website.

Alternative Fuel Export Tax Exemption

Alternative fuel sold for use in motor vehicles and intended for export from the state by a licensed alternative fuel exporter is exempt from the alternative fuel license tax. (Reference Wyoming Statutes 39-17-301 and 39-17-305)

Alternative Fuel Tax Refund

Any person exporting alternative fuel for which the license tax has been paid is eligible for a refund of the license tax paid. The exporter must submit the refund request within one year of the date of fuel purchase. (Reference Wyoming Statutes 39-17-309(c))

Natural Gas Infrastructure Loans

Effective July 1, 2013, the Wyoming Partnership Challenge (Challenge) may issue loans to businesses for the cost of the engineering, design, real property, equipment, and labor necessary to install a natural gas fueling station. The loan may cover 75% of the total project cost, up to $1 million. Businesses receiving a loan do not have to pay interest or principal payments for the first two years of the loan term. When considering loan applications, the Challenge will consider existing fueling infrastructure and the volume of private and government fleet vehicles in the geographic area. For more information on loan requirements and applications, visit the Challenge website. (Reference Senate File 23, 2013, and Wyoming Statutes 9-12-301 through 9-12-304

Laws & Regs

Legislative Session Dates:	February 10 - March 6
Legislature Website:	http://legisweb.state.wy.us/LSOWEB/Default.aspx

Natural Gas Vehicle Acquisition Requirements

The Wyoming Department of Administration and Information, University of Wyoming, community colleges, and state agencies must ensure that at least 50% of their vehicle acquisitions that meet the following criteria are dedicated or bi-fuel compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles:
The motor vehicle will be stationed in a municipality or locality with an existing or planned CNG fueling station that is or will be accessible with the correct volume, flow rate, and footprint; and
The motor vehicle is readily commercially available in a dedicated or bi-fuel CNG model.

Exceptions apply in situations where CNG or NGVs are not feasible or are economically impractical. The governor may waiver the requirements if the responsible department or agency demonstrates financial hardship. The requirements are effective through June 30, 2017. (Reference Senate File 52, 2013, and Wyoming Statutes 9-17-101, 9-7-102, and 9-2-1016.

Alternative Fuel Definition

Alternative fuels are defined as methanol, ethanol, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (propane), coal-derived liquid fuels, hydrogen, electricity, biodiesel, renewable diesel, fuels other than alcohol that are derived from biological materials, and P-series fuels. Biodiesel is defined as mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats that meets current ASTM biodiesel standards. (Reference Wyoming Statutes 39-17-301)

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Deregulation

A non-utility business that sells CNG for use as a motor vehicle fuel is not regulated as a public utility. (Reference House Bill 229, 2013, and Wyoming Statutes 37-1-101

Natural Gas Tax

Compressed natural gas (CNG) used in motor vehicles is subject to a state motor fuel tax of $0.24 per gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE). For taxation purposes, one GGE of CNG is equal to 5.66 pounds, 126.67 standard cubic feet, or an amount of CNG that has an energy content of 114,100 British Thermal Units (BTU). Liquefied natural gas (LNG) used in motor vehicles is also subject to a state motor fuel tax of $0.24 on a diesel gallon equivalent (DGE) basis. For taxation purposes, one DGE of LNG is equal to 6.06 pounds. For more information, refer to the Wyoming Department of Transportation Tax Rates website. (Reference Reference - HB69 Bill History, Reference - HB69 Bill Text, and Wyoming Statutes 39-17-104 and 39-17-204

Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Feasibility Evaluation

Under direction from the state legislature, the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information (A&I) completed A Feasibility Study of Natural Gas Vehicle Conversion in Wyoming Public School Districts (PDF), which explores the options, benefits, and challenges of converting school district vehicles, including school buses, to NGVs. (Reference Senate File 1, 2012

Proposed Bills

2015 Session - Proposed Legislation

HB-9

AN ACT relating to fuel tax; providing for taxation of alternative fuel as specified; providing exemptions; providing for collection and distribution of the tax; requiring a decal for electric vehicles; requiring reporting as specified; providing rulemaking authority; providing definitions; and providing for an effective date. Reference - HB9 Bill History, Reference - HB9 Bill Text Enacted: 2/25/2015

2014 Session - Proposed Legislation

HB-69

Sets tax rates for CNG per GGE of 5.66 lbs. or 126.67 cubic feet, and LNG at DGE rate based on 6.06 lbs. Reference - HB69 Bill History, Reference - HB69 Bill Text Enacted 3/10/2014

2013 Session - Proposed Legislation

HB-171

Intended to expand the gasoline tax to CNG and LNG and other fuels which currently are exempt from definition. Reference HB-171, 2013 Enacted 3/13/2013; Chapter 156.

HB-176

Establishes natural gas fueling facility pilot program for school districts. Authorizes or provides $12 million for the purpose of constructing fueling facilities. A feasibility report on such facilities is due by Oct. 1, 2013. Reference HB-176, 2013 Failed to pass House 2/4/2013.

HB-184

Exempts from the sales and use tax equipment installed on a vehicle to make it capable of operating on natural gas. Goes into effect July 1, 2013, expires 6/30/2017. Reference HB-171, 2013

HB-185

Exempts sale of new natural gas vehicle from the sales and use tax. The exemption expires 6/30/2017. New is defined to include only those vehicles with less than 10,000 miles. Goes into effect July 1, 2013. Reference HB-185, 2013

HB-186

Exempts new fueling equipment used to dispense natural gas from the sales and use tax. Reference HB-186, 2013 Passed House to the Senate 1/24/2013.

HB-229

Exempts sales of natural gas for motor vehicle use from regulation by the public utility commission.Reference HB-229, 2013 Enacted 3/13/2013

HB-246

Relates to administration of the government; prohibits state agencies and entities from selling petroleum or petroleum products to any nongovernmental entity as specified; provides for an effective date. Specifically refers to gasoline and diesel. Reference - HB246 Bill History, Reference - HB246 Bill Text

HB-254

Creates a new definition of gasoline gallon equivalent for purposes of taxing gasoline and gasoline products; it appears to be focused on issue of different types of gasoline and not for purposes of administering alternative fuel taxes. CNG and LNG currently not taxed as motor fuels in WY. Reference - HB254 Bill History, Reference - HB254 Bill Text

SB-23

Challenge Loans for natural gas fueling infrastructure. Authorizes low interest loans of up to $1 million for natural gas fueling stations with no interest or principal due in the first two years of loan. Maximum amount of all loans if $5 million. Reference SB-23, 2013 Signed by the Governor 2/272013; Chapter No. 96

SB-52

Directs state agencies, colleges, and school districts to ensure that 50 percent or more of future purchases are compressed natural gas vehicles if fueling is available. Expires after June 30, 2017. Reference SB-52, 2013 Enacted 2/27/2013; Chapter No. 97

SB-106

Amends current law relating to grants for natural gas fueling station. That program provided $1 million in funding for CNG station, and conversion or purchase of vehicles for the state DOT or University of Wyoming. The amendment requires that prior to spending any funds that the University of Wyoming must provide a budget for the purchase or conversion of CNG vehicles. Report must be issued to the Joint Appropriations Interim Committee. Requires further legislative authority before funds can be spent. Reference - SB106 Bill History, Reference - SB106 Bill Text Enacted 3/13/2013; Chapter 156

This state was last examined and updated in December, 2016.