Lawmakers Debate Expandsion of Pipeline Authority

By Renny MacKay

Cheyenne, WY – Governor Dave Freudenthal is considering a bill that would authorize changes to the state pipeline authority, a body that works to get pipeline projects built. Up until now they've only been able to work on natural gas lines, but with this new bill they could also help build pipelines for oil and other gases. Senator Bill Hawks says this could make it easier to get crude oil out of the state to market and bring prices upThe governor's press secretary says he is conceptually in favor of this bill. If he signs the bill it will also allow the pipeline authority to bond for up to three billion dollars. That's an increase of two billion dollars. The governor will take action on the bill on Monday or Tuesday.