CHEYENNE — Wyoming’s top elected officials on Thursday unanimously agreed oil and gas operators need an additional state sign-off before flaring, or burning off, natural gas vented from industry wells on state-owned land.

The decision means the State Board of Land Commissioners will now be involved in deciding whether state royalties should be charged on natural gas flared on state-leased wells.

The state board includes the governor, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer and state superintendent of public instruction.

The board unanimously approved the policy on a 4-0 vote. State Treasurer Joe Meyer is currently recovering from cancer surgery. Read more