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Mark Gordon on Energy & Oil
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Others vilify fossil fuels--not on my watch!
By now Wyoming citizens know too well how a myopic national political attitude to vilify fossil fuels has affected our energy industry. Twenty-eight states have enacted either renewable energy standards or low-carbon policies.
These are targeted at the industries that have helped raise our standard of living, built our schools, funded public infrastructure, and made us the premier economy in the world. We produce energy better, more safely, and with more
attention to the environment than anywhere else on the planet, and yet our industries are still discriminated against, maligned, and decried as dead. Well, not on my watch! Know this --
Wyoming will always advocate for our industries, whether it be to protect against unconstitutional restraint of trade, or in their endeavors to deliver cleaner, more dependable, more affordable, and safer energy to our nation.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to 65th Wyoming legislature
, Feb 10, 2020
Lower severance taxes on natural gas industry
The problem we face is not burning coal. The problem is that we have not recognized or seized the opportunities to burn it cleaner, to use its byproducts more beneficially, or to remember its role as our country's most reliable source of electricity for
over a hundred years. We in Wyoming are leading the way.It is our duty to verify that the proposed early closures of coal-burning units are truly warranted and economical, and not just philosophical or political. Wyoming genuinely welcomes
renewable resources like wind and solar. However, we will not recklessly abandon our most abundant and reliable energy source just because it is unpopular with some people.
I note with particular urgency the state of our natural gas industry.
Today, only two rigs are drilling for natural gas in Wyoming. That is the lowest number in the last 20 years. I seek the Legislature's support in crafting a temporary, price-based reduction in severance taxes for those most in need.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to 65th Wyoming legislature
, Feb 10, 2020
Coal for decades to come, so let's improve usage
Energy must continue to be one of the pillars of our economy. In 2018, Wyoming hit a record for permit applications to drill for oil and gas. I want to take just a moment to talk about coal. Coal continues to power this country and,
despite market trends and politics, it will remain an essential part of America's energy portfolio for decades to come.
[Improved] technologies, when paired with Powder River Basin coal, can reduce the overall carbon emitted to the atmosphere.
That is progress that should be a gut cinch for those advocating to control carbon emissions.
There are promising new uses of coal that can provide advanced building materials and innovative new products. Some of these are being developed at UW and others by private industry.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Wyoming legislature
, Jan 9, 2019
Make Wyoming a leader in advancing carbon sequestration
Wyoming is the nation's leader in advancing carbon sequestration and has launched the Integrated Test Center which is working on turning a byproduct like carbon dioxide into a valuable and marketable product.
Here in Wyoming, we will continue to seek innovative solutions that support coal, address climate change, and grow our economy.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Wyoming legislature
, Jan 9, 2019
Protect energy sources with eye on future technologies
Wyoming's natural resources are second to none. Be it oil, gas, coal, uranium or wind. And there are no greater stewards of these energy and natural resources than the people of WY. Mark will ensure responsible development of our state's natural
resources while protecting open space and access to public lands. He will work to position Wyoming as the leader in advanced energy technologies including Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) and new carbon-to-product markets.
Source: 2018 Wyoming gubernatorial website GordonForWyoming.com
, Sep 18, 2018
Page last updated: Apr 18, 2020
