CASPER — An effort to repeal Wyoming’s controversial coal carbon capture mandate failed Tuesday on a vote divided between the Senate and House members of the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee.

Seven of eight representatives in attendance voted in favor of the committee sponsoring the “Low carbon energy standards-repeal,” draft bill, while only one of five senators — Rock Springs Republican Sen. Stacy Jones — voted for the measure. The division suggests a rift between the powerful Freedom Caucus in the House and their Senate counterparts over the value of cutting carbon dioxide emissions from coal while tapping Wyoming ratepayers to cover the cost.

The Freedom Caucus took to social media shortly after the vote, noting that the panel voted to continue the state’s

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