Governor Matt Mead says it’s time to move past the argument over climate change, and start finding solutions that will allow the continued use of fossil fuels, including coal. Answering questions after a speech at the Wyoming Infrastructure Authority board meeting Wednesday the governor reiterated that he remains skeptical about the science behind climate change, but said that’s besides the point.
“I think we’re too bogged down in [the debate over climate change]," Mead said. "Let’s agree that we’re interested in a clean environment. Let’s agree that we’re interested in using coal for the next 300 years. How do we do it?”
Mead says the $15 million the Legislature committed to a testing facility for carbon research is a start. He also mentioned the potential of new partnerships with industry, including a competition sponsored by Tri-State Generation to come up with ways of recycling carbon dioxide.