Wyoming

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - An advisor to Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal testified in Washington yesterday, urging Congress to invest in electricity transmission infrastructure and to work toward modernizing the existing grid to help Western states deliver their significant renewable energy resources to market.

Steve Ellenbecker, Director of Governmental & External Relations for the Wyoming Infrastructure Authority and an energy policy advisor to the Governor, testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Water and Power/Committee on Natural Resources.    » read more »

February 25, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today announced he will toss out Bush administration midnight regulations designed to rush oil shale development in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. Salazar said the oil shale leasing proposal issued by the Bush administration in January was flawed and that royalties to be paid by the oil industry were too low. The Department of Interior will now open a 90-day comment period allowing the public to weigh in on what oil shale research and development leases should contain.

Producing a liquid fuel from oil shale entails heating solid rock to temperatures in excess of 600°F. The large amounts of energy needed to heat and process oil shale would increase the global warming emissions that contribute to climate change.    » read more »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - The impact of low energy prices on the state budget could be serious this coming year, Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal said in a news conference on Feb. 4, 2009.

Natural gas prices have traditionally been higher this time of year than in other seasons, and yet prices have remained unusually low this winter, he said.

“I think it’s a serious problem and I’ve spoken to a number of the legislators about it." he said. "I don’t make light of people’s commitments on these other issues, but we’re learning that we’re not immune to what’s going on in the (national) economy and we need to be mindful of that.”

Both the Senate and the House will debate the budget bill next week.    » read more »

Feb. 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that the Bureau of Land Management will modify an upcoming federal oil and natural gas lease sale in Wyoming to allow more time for review and study of eight lease parcels of concern to the State of Wyoming. The eight deferred parcels will not be included in the February 3, 2009, oil and gas lease auction. The auction will proceed as scheduled, however, with the sale of leases on 137 parcels totaling 163,526.74 acres.    » read more »

June 11, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Tyler E. Pickett, 28, of Saratoga, Wyoming, died June 8 in Kirkuk Province, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using improvised explosive devices.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.    » read more »

May 27, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - Today, superdelegate and Wyoming Democratic Party Vice Chair Nancy Drummond endorsed Barack Obama for President, citing his advocacy for veterans.

Drummond is the 318.5th superdelegate to endorse Obama, who is now 48 delegates away from capturing the Democratic nomination.

Barack Obama speaking in Wyoming: Photo by Raj Patel (CC)    » read more »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - The citizens of Wyoming should take time on Memorial Day to remember the sacrifices of soldiers who have died and been injured in service to their country, Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal said today in a somber ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda.

The Governor signed a proclamation that declares Monday, May 26 as Memorial Day in Wyoming, and said he hopes people will take the opportunity to remember soldiers and their families that day.    » read more »

Cheyenne, Wyoming - In two separate meetings with Chinese officials in Beijing today, Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal discussed future opportunities in tourism, energy and in particular, coal bed methane development.

“I thank both officials for their gracious reception and am encouraged by the substantive nature of the discussions,” Freudenthal said.

Coalbed methane discharge point: Photo by USGS    » read more »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Calling the presence of ozone in the western Wyoming air a “significant concern,” today Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal responded to a citizen petition requesting that a health assessment be performed in Sublette County.

The letter from Freudenthal to Pamela Curry of Pinedale, who forwarded the petition, follows.

April 10, 2008

Pamela Curry
P.O. Box 1002
Pinedale, WY 82941

Dear Ms. Curry:

Thank you for your letter requesting that a Human Health Impact Assessment be conducted in Sublette County due to air quality and other concerns. From the data that has been collected, there is little doubt that ozone is a significant concern.    » read more »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal has announced his intention to cast his superdelegate vote at the Democratic National Convention for Senator Barack Obama, D-Ill.

The Governor issued the following statement:

Barack Obama: Photo courtesy Barack Obama campaign (CC)    » read more »

Western governor says Obama can end the partisan bickering in Washington

April 02, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - Wyoming Governor and Democratic superdelegate Dave Freudenthal today endorsed Barack Obama, citing his history of putting partisanship aside to bring people together across party lines and focus on common-sense solutions.

"The negativity, partisanship and lack of purpose that characterize our national debate and government are crippling this country," Governor Freudenthal said. "While no one individual can effect this change alone, the change must begin with someone. Senator Obama is the Democratic candidate with the openness, honesty and skill to end this vicious cycle of business as usual."    » read more »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Wyoming Governor Dave and First Lady Nancy Freudenthal will travel to China next week on a visit to the nation that plays an increasingly influential role in the world’s energy marketplace.

During the 10-day trip, the Freudenthals will tour the energy producing region of Shanxi Province, southwest of the capitol city of Beijing.

A street in Pingyao, Shanxi Province, China: (Photo CC Graeme Nicol)    » read more »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Concerned that a bill to increase campaign contribution limits in Wyoming would enhance the influence of wealthy contributors, Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal today vetoed original House Bill 9, House Enrolled Act 42.

The measure had “evolved well beyond its original purpose,” the Governor said. The bill was originally aimed at addressing the use of Political Action Committees to circumvent individual contribution limits.    » read more »

March 15, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of five soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

They died March 10 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device.

They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Killed were:

Sgt. 1st. Class Shawn M. Suzch, 32, of Hilltown, Pennsylvania.

Staff Sgt. Ernesto G. Cimarrusti, 25, of Douglas, Arizona.    » read more »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Calling the state’s effort to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for carbon capture and sequestration “groundbreaking,” Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal today signed House Bill 89 and 90 (HEA 18 and 25) in a formal signing in the Capitol Rotunda.

“We have surveyed through both the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, as well as other sources, and it is clear that these two pieces of legislation are the most comprehensive, most thorough pieces passed by any legislature in the country,” Freudenthal said.    » read more »