In a somewhat awkward turn of events for Wyoming's senators and representatives, the proposed resolution to ban all EV sales in the gas-loving state lasted no longer than a 30-minute Senate Minerals, Business, and Economic Development Committee meeting. This latest update comes via the Cowboy State Daily, which attended the session.

Senators Jim Anderson, Brian Boner, Ed Cooper, and Dan Dockstader, as well as Representatives Donald Burkhart and Bill Henderson, put forth a resolution to phase out EV sales by 2035. As we predicted, this was nothing more than a publicity stunt to get attention, and it worked beautifully.

Senate Joint Resolution SJ0004, titled Phasing Out New Electric Vehicle Sales By 2035, got some decent traction in the media, highlighting relevant counterarguments to going fully electric.

Wyoming has several issues with electric vehicles, but the main concern is its impact on its coal, gas, and oil industries. The sponsors also admitted that this resolution was designed to make a statement against other states and the upcoming outright ban on gas-powered vehicles. They're obviously referring to California, New York, and Oregon. The latter is the third state to adopt Advanced Clean Car II, first embraced in California.

"We didn't want to make a bill that would say that the dealerships have to really quit selling vehicles," said Senator Jim Anderson. "We just wanted to make a statement that there is a counter to stopping selling gas vehicles in other states."

Unfortunately for the sponsors, Senator Chris Rothfuss was in attendance. Rothfuss made an extremely valid point, which renders the whole argument about concerns about the coal, oil, and gas industries moot. Rothfuss stated that EVs, like the electric F-150, still require energy, which has to come from somewhere.

"It's exactly the type of challenge that Wyoming stands to benefit from because we produce all types of power," said Rothfuss. He also mentioned that Wyoming has large lithium deposits and other rare-earth minerals used in EV batteries. According to Rothfuss, there are opportunities that the resolution and its sponsors fail to grasp.

"We're looking for our opportunities because we have traditionally been one of the top five energy-producing states."

Wyoming's car dealers were represented by the executive vice president of the Wyoming Dealers Association, Marsha Allen. Allen was not in support of the resolution and called it highly concerning.

"We fully understand the frustrations toward mandates, actions that are taken by other states and even the federal level that trickle down to policy in Wyoming. We do not support those," said Allen. But she noted that if dealerships were to adopt the resolution's call to limit EV sales, they would be in direct conflict with dealers who are forced to embrace electrification by OEMs that will someday soon no longer offer combustion-powered cars. Cadillac, which is requiring EV investments from dealers as it transitions away from combustion, was referenced as an example.

"It's best if [...] Wyoming citizens retain freedom to choose for themselves, like the vehicles they prefer to drive," added Keith Rittle of the Wyoming Outdoor Council, arguing that the challenges of moving to EVs are manageable and come with numerous benefits.

The closer we get to 2035, the more we expect this subject to be hotly debated.

The Wyoming Outdoor Council also spoke in favor of EVs. In contrast, Bill Winney, a former Navy submarine captain and resident of Bondurant, spoke against them, mentioning battery degradation in the cold.

Wyoming's resolution died a quiet death during the meeting, but according to Senator Anderson, they achieved their goal. It's hard to argue against the logic. The news spread all over the USA and likely made it all the way to the White House and President Biden, a fierce supporter of the EV movement.

"It's all over the nation now. Two major news outlets have asked me to interview this afternoon," said Anderson. "So yes, we've got done what we needed to get done in informing the nation we're supporting our industries."