Bill would regulate power grid for reliability

CASPER — A new piece of legislation could give coal-fired power plants a lifeline.

Filed on Friday in Wyoming’s Legislature, House Bill 155 would require state regulators to consider how a coal or natural gas power plant closure could affect the reliability of the power grid before approving its retirement.

Prior to giving a utility a green light to retire an aging power plant unit, the Wyoming Public Service Commission — the state agency regulating certain utilities in Wyoming — would have to consider if the closure would increase the risk of power outages.

“Before authorizing or approving th...