Energy and water are vital to our way of life and economy in Wyoming. In February, I introduced legislation to make it easier to build new natural gas pipelines and update our aging water delivery systems. The Senate and Congressional Western Caucuses also released a new report this month that details key western principles and how they support local, boots-on-the-ground stewardship of our land, water, and natural resources.
Western Caucuses Principles Report
On Feb. 12, I joined members of the senate and congressional caucuses in releasing a new report titled “Principled Stewardship of the American West.” Our report highlights key western principles that will guide the Caucuses in the years ahead. We’ll continue to advance policies that help create jobs, encourage conservation and increase America’s energy security. Most importantly, we’re committed to transferring power back from Washington to the people of the West. If you’re interested in reading the full report you can find a copy on my website Barrasso.senate.gov.
Taking Steps to Reduce Natural Gas Flaring
Thanks to advances in technology, Wyoming and other states have been able to recover large amounts of natural gas. While we have more natural gas, we still do not have enough pipelines to process and transport it. Instead, we’re often forced to flare, or burn off excess gas. On February 9th, I reintroduced bipartisan legislation to reduce flaring and safely capture and sell more natural gas.
My bill makes it easier to build more gathering lines and pipelines on Federal and Indian land. Selling more natural gas instead of flaring it is a win for state and federal budgets, as well as our environment.
Updating Wyoming’s Aging Water Infrastructure
Aging water delivery systems make it harder and less safe for people in Wyoming and throughout the West to have access to a clean, abundant and reliable supply of water.
Before we can move forward with modernizing these important systems, we need to have a better idea of what specific repairs are needed in our states. That’s why I reintroduced bipartisan legislation on Feb. 26 that requires Washington to provide a detailed report of the work needed to keep our aging Bureau of Reclamation water facilities operating safely and effectively.
Holding EPA Accountable for Data Behind Regulations
For years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has based its rules and regulations on secret data that they refuse to publish and make available to all Americans.
Specifically, the EPA has used undisclosed studies as the basis for a large amount of the health and benefit claims from Clean Air Act rulemaking in the Obama Administration. Since the American people bear the expensive costs of EPA red tape, we deserve to have access to the science behind these regulations.
On Feb. 24, I introduced legislation that would block the EPA from finalizing regulations based on secret science.
Wyoming Comes to Washington
This month, I met with Torrington’s Cole Coxbill, Vice Chairman of Wyoming Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers. We talked about the Administration’s proposed Waters of the United States rule, irrigation issues and the new Western Caucus principles report.
Members of the Wyoming Association of Broadcasters from Cheyenne, Green River and Wheatland were also in town in February.
We discussed the bipartisan resolution that I recently reintroduced to stop Congress from imposing any new, unfair royalties or taxes on Wyoming’s broadcasters.
If you or someone you know will visit Washington this spring, please let me know. I’d enjoy meeting with you in the office and scheduling a tour of the U.S. Capitol.
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