First-year Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead is still ironing out an energy policy for his resources-rich state, the governor’s chief policy director, Shawn Reese, told NGI Monday. Mead recently offered some “introductory remarks” on the still-developing policy statement when he spoke last week at the state Natural Gas Fair.

On Monday Mead released his plan for seven interagency teams to improve efficiencies in state government and help stimulate the development of new jobs in Wyoming. Energy was at the top of his list of “areas important to Wyoming’s job creation.” In fact, it was the first of the seven teams in the list released by the governor’s office.

The energy team will have representatives from eight different state units: Wyoming Infrastructure Authority, Wyoming Pipeline Authority, Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Energy Office (Wyoming Business Council), Department of Environmental Quality, Public Service Commission, Wyoming State Geological Survey and Office of Lands and Investment.

As far as articulating the state’s energy policy, “nothing has been put on paper as of now,” said Reese, noting that shale oil and gas will be an important part of the document. “The governor has said he doesn’t want the state to overlook any opportunities, and certainly unconventional resources is something that is high on the priority list for state energy resources.”

Reese said he could not speculate on whether something would be hammered out by the end of this year.

The other teams are natural resources; jobs, education, workforce; health and social services; administration and regulation; security; and legal. Mead said all seven units need to show how to add value and efficiency to Wyoming’s services and resources. “Our state agencies do quite well at communicating within their own agency, but I want agencies to find synergies by working with each other and deliver the best possible service to the public without redundancies.”

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