Opponents of infrastructure interference bill rally at Jonah building

Pending legislation that would impose severe penalties on anyone who damages or interferes with “critical infrastructure” may be designed to stifle protests of new energy development in Wyoming, bill opponents said this week.

Energy and other industrial interests fear Wyoming could see a protest similar to those at “Standing Rock” that blocked construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline for months in North Dakota in 2016, the opponents charged at a news conference Thursday.

“Wyoming being an energy-industry-filled state, I’m thinking what’s in the long scope of things?” said Lynette Grey Bull, director of the Wind River Native Advocacy Center, that works for Native American interests in Wyoming. “What is ahead that we don’t know about?” she asked.

“As a Native American leader, as somebody who has been involved in fighting for rights not only at Standing Rock but on other issues, this bill is a threat to our voice. It’s also a threat to our sovereign rights,” she said.

Read more: http://www.wyofile.com/opponents-infrastructure-interference-bill-rally-jonah-building/