Wyoming consumers would receive the most energy assistance under cap and trade bill LARAMIE, WYO. (wpr) - That constraints on carbon emissions would drive up energy costs for consumers is a common argument against federal cap and trade legislation. Last week Rep. Cynthia Lummis raised the issue in a press conference. But the cap and trade bill that passed the U.S. House in June would give what are called permits or allowances to energy consumers to help mitigate those costs. And under the bill, Wyoming consumers fare better than those in any other state.

In the year 2016, the bill grants Wyoming credits worth about $160 per person to reduce the cost of electricity. John Larsen is a researcher with World Resources Institute, one of the groups that analyzed the permits. He says states that would see the highest costs from the bill receive the highest levels of assistance. "Ultimately that's going to be I think a big help to consumers in Wyoming as they transition to a new situation where we have a price on carbon," he says.

According to Larsen, Wyoming has a much more carbon-intensive economy than a state like California, which would get four credits - worth about $40 - per person. He points out that in none of the states would this assistance last forever. It would begin to phase out by 2025. The U.S. Senate has not yet debated the measure.
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