The House Minerals Committee tabled House Bill 89 after extended testimony and discussion about options for disposal of decommissioned wind turbine blades and towers.

Sponsor Representative J.R. Riggins framed the bill as an attempt to force applicants for new wind energy facilities to include a disposal plan in their industrial‑siting application that provides for on‑site disposal of decommissioned blades and towers, while listing exceptions such as on‑site recycling, removal of mechanical equipment for reuse, and disposal at surface mining sites under an applicable statute. Riggins told the committee the intent was to ensure long‑term solid‑waste plans for projects and to avoid shifting blades to municipal landfills.

The Department of Environmental Quality told the committee that with changes the department recommended the bill’s permitting and enforcement for on‑site disposal should sit with the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division (Title 35, Article 15) rather than in the mining (Article 14) provisions the sponsor originally cited. DEQ provided a redline showing conforming changes and recommended deleting duplicative on‑site disposal language and relying on existing mine‑disposal authority where appropriate.

Multiple state agencies and stakeholders testified. The Office of State Lands and Investments cautioned that mandatory on‑site disposal could create lease and consent complications because trust‑land leases often include grazing and other uses; an encumbrance for disposal could reduce the long‑term value of trust lands, the office said. The Wyoming Energy Authority and the Wyoming Mining Association both noted that federal approval on Monday by the Office of Surface Mining to allow disposal in coal mines changed the policy landscape and provides an available, large‑capacity alternative. Energy Authority testimony underscored potential benefits of coal‑mine disposal: large pit capacity, potential revenue for reclamation at mine closure, and future siting advantages if recycling infrastructure develops near consolidated disposal sites.

Local governments, landowners and agricultural groups raised concerns about mandatory on‑site disposal for private landowners. County Commissioner Jim Willicks said the bill “is not ready” and urged the committee not to force landowners to accept buried blades on private property. The Wyoming Association of Municipalities and the City of Casper—among others—testified they did not support removing municipal landfills as an option. Environmental and conservation groups raised wildlife‑and‑land‑use questions and offered to work with the committee on assessing land‑use impact metrics.

Committee members asked agency witnesses about bonding and who sets the financial assurance for reclamation and decommissioning; DEQ and Industrial Siting staff explained the Industrial Siting Council sets and reviews bond amounts at permitting and can revisit bonding later if costs change.

After public and agency testimony, Representative Lolli moved to table the bill; the motion carried on voice vote and HB 89 was tabled. Committee leaders noted the Office of Surface Mining’s recent action and other agency input had altered the circumstances since earlier drafts of similar legislation and that more work would be needed before the committee advances a final approach.