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February 22, 2018

Wyoming Bill Would Severely Punish Fossil Fuel Protesters
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In Wyoming, state lawmakers have introduced a bill that would bring
steep penalties to protesters who engage in civil disobedience aimed at
halting fossil fuel extraction. Wyoming's Senate File 74 would make
"impeding critical infrastructure" a felony punishable by up to 10 years
in prison with a fine of up to $100,000. One of the bill's co-sponsors
has said it's a reaction to protests against the Dakota Access pipeline
led by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The Wyoming bill comes on the
heels of similar bills introduced in Iowa and Ohio-legislation that hews
closely to a template bill written by the conservative American
Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC.


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