Standing Up for Wyoming’s Oil & Gas Workers
Energy is the lifeblood of our economy, and Wyoming’s abundant natural resources are vital to its strength. The oil and gas industry, championed by members of the Petroleum Association of Wyoming, creates good paying jobs and sustains communities across our state. These resources provide families and businesses across America with high quality oil and natural gas to power homes, schools, and businesses.
Federal policies have a big impact on Wyoming’s energy sector. For too long, restrictive regulations limited our state’s vast oil and gas reserves. Energy prices rose 31 percent in the past four years. This strained family’s budgets and hurt Wyoming energy workers.
We are now entering a new era for affordable, reliable Wyoming energy. We have a supportive administration in Washington. We have an opportunity to unleash our resources responsibly and lead America to energy dominance.
President Trump and Republicans in Congress have acted swiftly to unlock America’s energy potential. In the first 100 Days of unified Republican government, we took more than 50 actions to unleash America’s energy potential.
Some of the highlights for Wyoming include ending the Biden administration’s pause on new liquefied natural gas exports and reversing the radical Green New Deal policies.
In Wyoming, the administration is working with our congressional delegation and local leaders to overhaul the disastrous Rock Springs Resource Management Plan. This administration prioritizes energy and mineral production on federal lands.
Republicans in Congress are advancing legislation to boost energy production across the country. We continue to work to speed up the permitting process for new energy infrastructure, such as pipelines. This will ensure Wyoming’s resources reach consumers efficiently.
It also helps to have excellent individuals at the helm the Department of Energy, the Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Their vision for American energy dominance make them America’s energy all-stars.
EPA administrator Lee Zeldin is reducing regulatory burdens while maintaining the highest environmental standards. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, a self-described science geek who helped drive the fracking revolution, is leveraging American technology to improve the lives of all Americans.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum brings deep knowledge of federal lands, especially in the West. Refineries in Wyoming rely on oil coming out of federal lands in the state. It is good news that the person responsible for federal leasing understands that American production lowers prices.
Republicans in Congress will continue to streamline regulations and stop divisive mandates. For example, the state of California is pushing radical rules to eliminate the sale of gas-powered cars and trucks nationwide. Eleven states and the District of Columbia follow California’s electric vehicle mandate. They require 35 percent of new vehicles to be electric by 2026 and 100 percent by 2036. California should not tell the people of Wyoming what kind of car they can drive. I’m fighting in Congress to stop California’s expansive, expensive EV mandate.
Wyoming is America’s energy breadbasket. I’m more confident than ever that Wyoming energy will make America energy dominant again.
I look forward to continuing to work with members of the Petroleum Association of Wyoming and their families. Wyoming and our entire nation are grateful for everything you do to keep our country running strong.
Mr. Barrasso of Wyoming is the U.S. Senate Majority Whip.