Western leaders working together on energy issues should realize that cooperation means no one state is going to get exactly what it wants, Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal told lawmakers Monday.

Freudenthal kicked off the second day of the Western States Energy and Environmental Symposium in Teton Village. The state Legislature allocated $400,000 for the conference, which drew about 75 lawmakers from states such as the Dakotas, Alaska and Hawaii.

The conference was organized to help states get better coordinated on energy issues.

Freudenthal has remained skeptical of the symposium.

“I’ve taken more than my share of shots,” he said.

While the state is in the midst of cutting its budget, he joked that lawmakers are sponsoring a “high rent” conference in Jackson.

Freudenthal also referred to “widows and orphans” who won’t receive services because of how much the state spent on the three-day event.

“On the other hand, it’s probably the right thing to do if you be realistic about what you expect,” he said.

Freudenthal said lawmakers should not leave Jackson expecting to create new power lines across the western United States. Rather, they should gain a better understanding of one another’s challenges and should work together on finding solutions.

Freudenthal said states are becoming increasingly competitive.

States compete with one another on everything from economic development to water resources.

Moreover, lawmakers attending the conference have other lawmakers to whom they must answer, he said. No one person can bind a state to anything.

“When you think about how you’re going to make this work, you’ve got to remember there are other players, other people who have a position in this,” Freudenthal said.

The first hurdle may be political, he said.

In addition to senators and representatives, lawmakers must contend with public service utility commissions.

Freudenthal said he doubted any of those officials would approve something like a rate increase at home to help payers in other states.
“That appointment would last roughly 20 minutes,” he said.

Also, states are unlikely to endorse new transmission lines or energy projects that won’t benefit residents, he said.

Freudenthal told the lawmakers he believes energy production should respond to the marketplace. They also should be open to a diverse mix of energy sources, including nuclear, coal, natural gas, hydro or wind, he said.

The conference resumes at 7:30 a.m. today and will end at 1 p.m.