Western pols push for energy independenceWestern pols push for energy independence

Five Western state governors are among 25 nationwide who are calling on President Joe Biden's administration to restore America's energy independence as the crisis with Russia brings higher prices at the pump for consumers.

Arizona's Doug Ducey, Idaho's Brad Little, Montana's Greg Gianforte, Utah's Spencer Cox and Wyoming's Mark Gordon were among GOP governors who issued a statement urging the reopening of the Keystone XL pipeline and other measures.

“As governors, we call on President Biden to reverse his policies and restore America’s energy independence for our citizens as well as our allies abroad," they wrote. "By removing his bans on new oil and gas development on federal lands, building the Keystone XL pipeline, and reinstating regulatory reforms to streamline energy permitting, we can protect our national energy security and sell to our friends rather than buy from our enemies—specifically Russia.

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"Family budgets have already been stretched thin following record inflation," they added. "People in our states cannot afford another spike at the gas pump, and our allies cannot afford to be held hostage by Putin’s tyranny and aggression.”

Others who signed the statement included Govs. Kristi Noem (S.D.), Doug Burgam (N.D.) Pete Rickets (Neb.), Ron DeSantis (Fla.), and Greg Abbot (Tex.).

Wyoming developing energy

The statement comes as Wyoming's Gordon has announced a joint collaboration between his office and the Wyoming Legislature he says will keep Wyoming on the forefront of the energy frontier. The state will fund an energy development manager, a position that will work collaboratively with companies, policymakers and lawmakers.

“We have seen added interest from the private sector in bringing large-scale projects to Wyoming," Gordon said. "These are multi-billion dollar investments and our goal is to leverage those so we can create the most Wyoming jobs and expand sectors of the economy through better coordination."

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“Our energy partners are bringing innovative, new ideas to the table. We need to be ready to support them in any way we can.”

To help recognize new energy sector opportunities, coordinate the efforts that are already in Wyoming, and those coming to the state, the energy development manager will act as the go-between with companies, state agencies and policymakers. The position will coordinate with the Wyoming Energy Authority, Wyoming Business Council, the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources and will monitor trends in the sector, help eliminate overlap with existing efforts, and work with policy and lawmakers to identify policy or law changes that may need to occur to advance new opportunities. The position and support funding is coming from one-time federal dollars.

Source: Office of Idaho Gov. Brad Little, Office of Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.