By AP

Billings, MT – The federal government has approved strict new water quality standards for coal-bed methane water. Montana sought the new standards out of fear that natural gas drilling in Wyoming could pollute interstate rivers.

Montana officials say the new rules are aimed at protecting farmers from poor-quality water produced during exploration for coal-bed methane.

The new rules were approved by the Environmental Protection Agency in a letter dated February 29th.

By AP

Cheyenne, WY – The Senate Monday gave preliminary approval to two bills that would cut property taxes for needy citizens and the elderly. The bills have already cleared the House.

The first bill would offer tax refunds to people who make no more than two-thirds of the median income of either the applicant's county of residence or the state.

It would limit recipients to no more than $50,000 in total household assets for each adult member of the family, excluding
pensions, one motor vehicle each and similar items.

Cheyenne, WY – The state Senate has passed a bill that would tax helium extracted from the ground in Wyoming.

Governor Freudenthal endorsed the bill in his state of the state address at the beginning of the session and is expected to sign it into law.

The bill would impose a six percent severance tax on helium extracted from the ground and could bring in more than $2 million in additional annual tax revenues for the state.

Helium is currently the only extracted mineral commodity that Wyoming does not tax.

By Bob Beck

Cheyenne, WY – Senators are deciding what to do about a bill that would allow someone to use deadly force in life threatening situations.

The Castle Doctrine would also provide the person who did the killing with a form of immunity.

By Bob Beck

Cheyenne, WY – The Wyoming Senate has stripped out a major part of a bill designed to allow people to hold their ground if they believe they're being threatened.

During debate on the so-called Castle Doctrine, the Senate adopted an amendment from Casper Senator Charlie Scott focused the bill only on whether someone is threatened in their home.

By Bob Beck

Cheyenne, WY – The widow of the late Senator Craig Thomas is starting a foundation to help underprivileged children.

Susan Thomas announced the formation of the Craig and Susan Thomas foundation to help at-risk youth and to give leadership grants for mentors. Referring to her late husband's military background, Thomas called this a new mission.

By Bob Beck

Cheyenne, WY – The governor signed into law a pair of bills that will regulate how Wyoming will capture and secure carbon dioxide.

What states do with CO-2 will be an important part of energy development in the future.

Representative Tom Lubnau of Gillette says it took nine months to put the bills together. He says the bills are ahead of the curve.

Governor Dave Freudenthal says the bills are groundbreaking.

By Bob Beck

Cheyenne, WY – State lawmakers are continuing with a bill that would clamp down on fraudulent companies operating in Wyoming.

One tricky issue is how much responsibility should be placed on local attorneys who act as registered agents. Some want the registered agents to take more responsibility for the companies and maintain annual contact with their clients.

But attorneys say that will take up too much time.

Cheyenne Representative Dan Zwonitzer says the contact is needed to prevent fraud.

Laramie, WY – The University of Wyoming says its College
of Business will receive a $3 million grant for business ethics education.

The money comes from the Daniels Fund, a private nonprofit that awards grants and scholarships. It will give the college the
largest single private foundation contribution ever received for a
UW program.

The endowment will be used to expand the business ethics program to the state's seven community colleges and allow students to work with business executives to understand business ethics in the real
world.

By Elsa Partan

Laramie, WY – Energy workers are probably working fewer overtime hours.

State economist Jim Robinson says the number of drilling rigs dropped significantly last November, but the number of people who work on those rigs did not drop as much as expected.

"It may be a safer work environment because instead of having people working double shifts, and two weeks on and one week off, they're kind of getting more back to what the standard should be in the industry," Robinson said.