U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), the Senate Majority Whip, addressed the Senate regarding efforts to overturn the Biden administration’s Buffalo Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA). The amendment halted future coal leasing in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin.
Barrasso criticized the rule, stating it would end affordable and reliable energy production in Wyoming. He emphasized that the Powder River Basin supplies about 45 percent of U.S. coal and that Wyoming is the country’s top coal producer. According to Barrasso, restricting access to this resource would negatively impact jobs and Wyoming’s economy.
He said, “Today, the United States Senate will take the first steps to undo a very harmful piece of the previous administration’s reckless and radical barrage of runaway regulations.”
Barrasso acknowledged Senator Cynthia Lummis for her leadership in challenging the rule using the Congressional Review Act and thanked Congresswoman Harriet Hageman for leading similar efforts in the House of Representatives.
He added, “She led this effort in the House of Representatives and last night this CRA passed that chamber. And, we will address it today.”
Barrasso also commended former President Trump and Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum for their support of Wyoming coal: “Both President Trump and Secretary Burgum understand that national security starts with energy security. And, that affordability starts with affordable American energy. That’s why the Trump administration is investing in clean American coal.”
He concluded by urging his colleagues to support repealing what he described as harmful regulations targeting domestic energy production: “The one we’re repealing today targeted affordable, reliable, and abundant American energy. That’s proof that Republicans are getting America back on track.”
